Private universities in Nigeria produced a significantly higher proportion of first-class graduates in 2024 compared to their public counterparts, according to new data released by Intellpoint and Statisense.

The report shows that about 17 per cent of graduates from private universities earned first-class degrees, while public universities recorded roughly 3 per cent among the top 10 institutions analysed.

Covenant University led all institutions in proportional terms, with 339 first-class graduates representing 21 per cent of its graduating class—equivalent to about one in every five students. Afe Babalola University followed with 226 first-class graduates, accounting for 14 per cent.

Among public universities, Federal University of Technology Akure recorded the highest number, producing 519 first-class graduates, although this represented only 8 per cent. University of Ibadan came next with 428 (6 per cent), while University of Lagos had 340 (3 per cent).

Other institutions in the ranking include University of Benin with 385 first-class graduates (2 per cent), University of Ilorin with 256 (2 per cent), University of Nigeria Nsukka with 252 (2 per cent) and Bayero University Kano with 180 (2 per cent). Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta recorded the lowest number at 122, also representing 3 per cent.

Despite the dominance of private universities in terms of proportion, public institutions accounted for some of the highest absolute numbers. However, two universities—FUTA and UNIBEN—were noted to have combined two graduating sets, a factor that may have influenced their totals.

Overall, the data highlights a widening gap in academic outcomes between private and public universities in Nigeria, with private institutions consistently producing a higher share of top-performing graduates.