Medical School is a rigorous undertaking in Nigeria.
With so many schools to choose from, it can be difficult to know which one is best for you and your guardians or sponsors. So how do you know the best medical school in Nigeria to apply for?
In this article, we will cover the major factors you should consider when choosing where to go, how much each school costs, and what schooling there looks like.
We will also tell you about some top medical schools in Nigeria that are making names for themselves.
Whether you are looking for a college of medicine with an accelerated curriculum, or just want somewhere affordable, we’ve got you covered.
Table of Contents
- Top 10 Best Medical Schools In Nigeria
- 1. College Of Medicine, University Of Ibadan (UI)
- 2. Ahmadu Bello University College Of Medicine
- 3. Obafemi Awolowo University College University
- 4. University Of Lagos College Of Medicine
- 5. University Of Nigeria Medical School
- 6. University Of Illorin College Of Health Sciences
- 7. University Of Benin College Of Medicine
- 8. Lagos State University College Of Medicine
- The Subfaculties Include:
- 9. Delta State University College Of Medicine
- 10. Ambrose Alli University College of Medicine
- Other Factors You Should Consider While Choosing The Top Medical Schools In Nigeria
- Other Good Medical Schools in Nigeria
- List Of State Medical Schools in Nigeria
- Conclusion
The 3 Factors We Considered In Ranking The Best Medicine School In Nigeria
One of the very first considerations for an average medical school aspirant in Nigeria even before buying a medical school application form are:
- Medical School in Nigeria and their fees. How much does it cost to study medicine in Nigeria?
- How long does it take to become a doctor in medical school?
- And of course; How good is the school?
The ranking of medical schools in Nigeria is a bit controversial.
But the top Universities in Nigeria for Medicine and Surgery will definitely emerge if you analyze them using the specified metrics which are derived from the attempt to answer the above three questions;
1. How much does it cost to study medicine in the Nigerian medical school?
The school fees contribute to a major ranking factor for rating the best medical school in Nigeria.
If you check the list of the top medical schools in Nigeria below, you will discover that most of them on the list are federal universities.
The reason is that the Nigerian federal government has subsidized the cost of education in the country significantly.
If you want to know what the real cost of attending a medical school in Nigeria is, then check out what other private medical schools in Nigeria are paying, and state medical universities as well.
2. How many years does it take to study medicine in the medical school?
Nobody wants to spend more years than they should actually do while studying a course like medicine.
It accounts for more cost, and of course, it’s time-wasting.
This is why the medical schools with the least number of years required to complete the training are ranked higher than others.
3. Does the university have a good infrastructure?
Like functional laboratories, the nature of the student’s hostels, the distance of the student’s hostel from the teaching hospital, etc.
For the third question, the reason why the proximity of medical students’ hostels to the teaching hospital is important in training medical students is that the closer one is to the teaching hospital, the easier learning becomes.
Medical students living closer to the teaching hospital in a particular medical university tend to spend more time with the residents and Medical officers which increases their overall exposure to new experiences.
Before we look actually begin to look at the 10 best medical schools in Nigeria on our list, let us actually see the list of all the accredited medical schools in Nigeria;
Top 10 Best Medical Schools In Nigeria
- 1. College Of Medicine, University Of Ibadan (UI)
- 2. Ahmadu Bello University College Of Medicine
- 3. Obafemi Awolowo University College University
- 4. University Of Lagos College Of Medicine
- 5. University Of Nigeria Medical School
- 6. University Of Illorin College Of Health Sciences
- 7. University Of Benin College Of Medicine
- 8. Lagos State University College Of Medicine
- 9. Delta State University College Of Medicine
- 10. Ambrose Alli University College of Medicine
So which University is the best for Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria? Let’s find out!
Below is the list of the top medical universities in Nigeria analyzed using the three metrics outlined above;
1. College Of Medicine, University Of Ibadan (UI)
The University of Ibadan is one of the Federal Universities in Nigeria located in Oyo, a state in the South-Western region of Nigeria.
It is also the 2nd Indigenous university in Nigeria after the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
The University of Ibadan college of medicine is currently ranked the best medical school in Nigeria, and also ranks among the best universities in Africa.
Apart from Medicine and Surgery, the university also offers many other medical-related courses like;
- Physiotherapy,
- Nursing,
- Medical radiography,
- Biochemistry,
- Human physiology,
- Anatomy and the rest of which many are newly introduced courses in the university.
The university’s medical school; the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan is as well rated the best medical school in Nigeria for a number of reasons.
The school fees are relatively cheap compared to many other medical schools in Nigeria.
Students pay an average of 30,000 Naira per session.
Although the values may vary depending on departments and undergraduate level.
This is the cheapest you can get in any other University in Nigeria.
The normal average year of graduation for medical students in Ibadan is 6 years.
This is the normal baseline for the number of years it takes to study medicine in a Nigerian Federal University.
In terms of infrastructure and development, the University is ranked among the top medical schools in Nigeria.
The University spans large acres of land which gives enough room for further infrastructural development and enough space for student activity.
The school is affiliated with Northwestern University’s Feinberg School Of Medicine in the United States making it for students in the college of medicine to find easy placements during their exchange and transfer programs.
Even though UI is the dream school of most Nigerian medical school aspirants, it is very hard to get admission to study medicine.
This is due to their rigorous medical school requirements and also due to the teeming number of applicants who fill in for medicine at the university yearly.
Faculties Under College Of Medicine, University Of Ibadan
- Faculty Of Basic Medical Sciences
- Faculty Of Dentistry
- Faculty Of Clinical Sciences
- Faculty Of Public Health
For More Information About This Nigerian Medical School Visit their website
2. Ahmadu Bello University College Of Medicine
Ranked the 2nd best medical school in Nigeria is Ahmadu Bello University College of Medicine, Zaria.
This school founded in the year 1962 was formerly known as the University of Northern Nigeria.
But was later named after the 1st Premiere of Northern Nigeria; Sir. Ahmadu Bello.
This makes it one of the oldest medical universities set up by the Nigerian government since its inception.
The college of medicine was created just 5 years after the university was founded (In the year 1972).
The university has a very good reputation for its outstanding infrastructures, gross landmass, and well-paid staff.
This University is the number one choice for medical aspirants from Northern Nigeria due to their low fees of about 30,000 Naira per session, and also the catchment areas which were tailored to favor the northerners mainly.
Also, it is generally easier to get admission into ABU Zaria medical school when compared to other top Nigerian medical schools.
The campuses in Ahmadu Bello University are; The Samaru and the Kongo Campuses.
Where the Samaru campuses are dedicated to medical students mainly.
For More Information Visit the school website
3. Obafemi Awolowo University College University
The 3rd best medical school in Nigeria according to our list is Obafemi Awolowo University located in Ile-Ife; South-Western Nigeria.
It was founded in the year 1961 and was initially named the University of Ife until 1987 when it was renamed in the honor of the 1st Premiere of the west; Obafemi Awolowo.
OAU is one top medical schools in Nigeria I would recommend for any medical school aspirant who lives in western Nigeria.
Compared to the University of Ibadan, it is much easier to get admission to study medicine in OAU because they receive a fewer number of applicants yearly compared to the University of Ibadan.
Even though this medical school is a federal university, their school fees might scare some indigent citizens away, because it is currently around 57,700 Naira.
But asides from that, they have outstanding infrastructures and a student-centered curriculum aimed at bringing the best out of the students.
The Subfaculties in the University Of Oyo College of Medicine Include;
- Faculty of Basic Medical Science
- Faculty Of Clinical Sciences
- Faculty Of Dentistry
- Institute Of Public Health.
For More Information Visit their website
4. University Of Lagos College Of Medicine
Also, ranked among the best medical school in Nigeria is the College Of Medicine, University of Lagos.
It is located in the heart of Nigeria’s most populated city; Lagos.
UNILAG as it is popularly called ranks among the best 5 universities anyone can attend in Nigeria to study any course at all.
This school produces one of the best graduates in Nigeria.
Their teaching hospital is also known to have produced one of the best doctors in Nigeria.
They are among the pioneers of family medicine in Nigeria and currently prides themselves as one of the best in giving patient-centered care to clients.
They are also well developed in terms of facilities and infrastructure.
However, students complain of the very high cost of living especially for students not living in the hostels inside the campus. The school fee is 55,000 Naira.
They run a 6-year program in their medical school.
The Faculties in the UNILAG College Of Medicine include;
- Faculty Of Basic Medical Sciences
- Faculty Of Clinical Sciences
- Faculty Of Dental Sciences
For More Information About the School Visit their website
5. University Of Nigeria Medical School
I know you have waited so long to see this one. But the number one University in Nigeria both in age and in fame does not have the best medical school in Nigeria.
Although their medical students are made up of the best brains from all over the country. This is because of the demanding nature of their admission requirements for medical school.
The medical school was once doing great until the federal government moved the teaching hospital to another site in a village in Enugu state; Ituku-Ozalla.
So many lost infrastructures are being rebuilt to match modern standards.
But asides from that, the quality of learning has remained top-notch and fast-paced.
The teaching hospital is by far the fastest all over Nigeria in terms of covering the academic curriculum for medical students. It takes a minimum of 6 years to complete medical school in UNTH.
The current school fees for first-year medical students in the University of Nigeria are around 60,000 Naira per session, but the accommodation for medical students is relatively cheap.
Due to the movement to the new site for the teaching hospital, the college of medicine operates in 3 campuses;
- The Enugu campus
- The Nsukka Campus and
- The Ituku-Ozalla Campus
The Faculties under the college of medicine include;
- Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences
- Faculty of Medical Sciences (Clinical)
- Faculty Of Dentistry
For more information Visit their website
6. University Of Illorin College Of Health Sciences
This federal University was founded in 1977 and is located in the heart of Western Nigeria; Kwara state.
It has a very large landmass spanning about 5,000 hectares making it among the largest institutions in the country.
The UNILORRIN College of Medicine as it is popularly called is one of the top medical schools in Nigeria and the major reasons are outline below;
Their college of medicine has one of the fastest curriculum as well as living conditions for medical students. It takes an average of 6 years to complete the MBBS program.
They also have top-notch facilities, infrastructures, and buildings making the environment very conducive for learning.
School fees for medical students in Unilorin are an average of N41,300.
Faculties Under UNILORIN College Of Medicine;
- Faculty of Basic Medical Science
- Faculty of Clinical Science
For More Information Visit their website
7. University Of Benin College Of Medicine
The University of Benin also has one of the 10 best medical schools in Nigeria.
It is located in Edo State, Nigeria.
The teaching hospital has world-class medical facilities and they pay the sum of 47,000 Naira as school fees.
They have two campuses; Ekehuan and Ugbowo campuses. And minimum years of study is 6 years.
The faculties under UNIBEN College of Medicine are;
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty Of Basic Medical Sciences
- Faculty of dentistry
For More Information About this College Of Medicine Visit their website
8. Lagos State University College Of Medicine
LASUCOM as it is popularly called is among the top medical schools in Nigeria and one of the few state university teaching hospitals in Nigeria to make the list.
She was birthed on 9th February 1999 under the mother institution; Lagos State University under the administration of Col. Mohammed Buba Marwa.
She is famous for the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital that has produced lots of renowned doctors in Nigeria.
They are also known for their good infrastructures and laboratories.
The school fees for the students of Basic Medical Sciences, Medicine and Surgery, and Dentistry is N115,750.
It takes an average of 6 years to complete your MBBS program in LASUCOM.
The Subfaculties Include:
- Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences
- Basic Clinical Sciences
- Clinical Sciences
- Dentistry
For More Information Visit the school website
9. Delta State University College Of Medicine
Another state university college of medicine is on the list of best medical schools in Nigeria.
Delta State University is a new medical school in Nigeria started in 2001 with Late Prof. A.E Jarekre as the first dean.
They have 3 main sites; Abraka, Oghara, and Warri. And 5 other minor sites for their COBES program in Ovu, Ebede, Jesse, Ikiagbodon, and Emevor.
Tuition in Delta State University Medical School ranges from; N64,500 for indigenes to N84,500 for non-indigenes.
It takes up to 7 years or more complete your MBBS program in DELSUTH.
The Subfaculties include;
- Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
- Family Medicine
- Anatomy
- Medicine
For More Information Visit the school website.
10. Ambrose Alli University College of Medicine
Finally, the last on the list of top medical schools in Nigeria is Ambrose Alli University College of Medicine.
The vision of this College of medicine is to provide sound training for medical students to enable them to become doctors who are capable of competing anywhere in Nigeria among other health workers.
Also, to produce doctors who meet the internationally recognized standard.
It takes at least 6 years for medical students to complete their MBBS program. And 5 years for direct entry students.
The school fee is N161,500.
Faculties Include:
- Basic Medical Sciences and
- Clinical Sciences
For More Information Visit the school website
Other Factors You Should Consider While Choosing The Top Medical Schools In Nigeria
Apart from the school fees, the nature of the MBBS programs, and infrastructural development, there which are the major ranking metrics used here, there are other factors you may consider before choosing which university is best to study medicine.
These factors include:
1. Proximity Of The Medical School From Home
Due to some personal, political, or geographic reasons, some medical students in Nigeria tend to choose Medical schools that are closer to their homes.
Many would reject admission offers to the University of Maiduguri due to political and security reasons.
Also, some would consider the culture and dominant religious beliefs of the people living within that locality before choosing a medical school.
And a good number will just prefer to stay closer to their family and friends.
All these are major factors that could influence the choice of medical school.
2. Webometrics
Webometrics is an algorithm used in ranking Universities all over the world based on their authority on the worldwide web.
This is calculated by analyzing the number of incoming links to the school portal or website from other websites in the world.
Such incoming links could be in form of;
- Citations from journals
- Web Backlinks
- Special mentions
- Social media activities, etc.
Based on this algorithm, the best medical schools in Nigeria over the years have been the University of Nigeria College of Medicine, and the University of Ibadan College of Medicine.
3. Cost Of Living
The cost of living in the particular region where the medical school is cited in Nigeria could also be a determining factor for students looking for which university is good to study medicine in Nigeria.
In this case, colleges of medicine sited in suburbs will be more favorable to students compared to those sited in major cities.
The reason is that the cost of living in those suburbs is quite lower when compared to that in the cities. So food will be relatively cheaper in such places.
On the other hand, the lack of basic amenities in such suburbs will apparently increase the cost of living when compared to major cities.
Other Good Medical Schools in Nigeria
The baseline for every medical school in Nigeria to be considered as one of the best medical schools is by passing through the national minimum requirements for colleges of medicine in Nigeria as structured by the MDCN.
MDCN is an abbreviation for Medical And Dental Council of Nigeria.
This body carries out screening for all the Nigerian medical schools every 5 years.
Colleges of medicine that do not meet the minimum required will lose their accreditation and will be reassessed after 5 years.
So before you choose a medical school to attend in Nigeria, find out if their name is among the list of accredited medical schools in Nigeria.
This list is updated every 5 years on the MDCN website.
In another post on this website, you can get an overview of what medical schools in Nigeria look like;
- How to get admission to study medicine in Nigeria, and
- The nature of medical exams and MBBS programs in Nigeria.
The post also outlined all the accredited federal and state universities offering Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria.
But for the sake of reference, the list of the accredited medical schools in Nigeria has been provided below.
Comprehensive List of all the Accredited Medical Schools in Nigeria According to the MDCN
It also comprises of the list of Private Universities in Nigeria offering Medicine and Surgery.
Find the full list of the Universities in Nigeria with Medical Schools below.
List Of Federal Medical Schools in Nigeria
- College Of Medicine University of Ibadan (UI Medical School)
- College Of Medicine University of Ilorin (UNILORIN Medical School)
- College Of Medicine University of Benin (UNIBEN Medical School)
- College Of Medicine University of Abuja (UNIABUJA)
- College Of Medicine Usman Danfodiyo University Sokoto
- College Of Medicine University of Jos (UNIJOS)
- College Of Medicine University of Uyo (UNIUYO)
- College Of Medicine University of Lagos (UNILAG)
- College Of Medicine University of Calabar (UNICAL)
- College Of Medicine University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID)
- College Of Medicine Obafemi Awolowo Univeristy Ife (OAU)
- College Of Medicine Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka (NAU)
- College Of Medicine Bayero University Kano (BUK)
- College Of Medicine Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo (FUNAI)
- College Of Medicine University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT)
- College Of Medicine University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN/UNTH)
- College Of Medicine Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (ABU)
List Of State Medical Schools in Nigeria
- College Of Medicine Abia State University Uturu
- College Of Medicine Osun State University
- College Of Medicine Lagos State University
- College Of Medicine Kaduna State University
- College Of Medicine Ekiti State University
- College Of Medicine Ebonyi State University
- College Of Medicine Delta State University
- College Of Medicine Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University
- College Of Medicine Kogi State University
- College Of Medicine Imo State Univeristy
- College Of Medicine Gombe State University, Tudun Wada
- College Of Medicine Enugu State University of Science and Technology
- College Of Medicine Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso
- College Of Medicine Nigeri Delta University (NDU), Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa
List Of Private Medical Schools In Nigeria
- School Of Medicine Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO)
- College of Medicine, Madonna University Elele
- Afe Babalola University College of Medicine
- Babcock University College of Medicine
- College of Medicine and Surgery Bingham University
- College Of Medicine, Bowen University
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Gregory’s University, Uturu
Also, Read; 10 Best Medical Schools For Older Students
Conclusion
The nature of medical school you attend in Nigeria will go a long way to determine the quality of medical education you receive.
It is clear from the above analysis that all medical schools are not created equal. So while choosing any, always go for the best medical school in Nigeria.
This way you won’t have to place so much burden on yourself and your sponsors.
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