Traditionally, African students who wanted to gain a top-notch business education set their sights on US, Canadian, or European programs.
Now, students have a wider choice of courses on the continent.
There’s increasing demand for business programs such as the MBA, and as the youth population grows—60% of the growing population of Sub-Saharan Africa is under 25—these business schools will be at the forefront of economic transformation on the continent.
There are 28 registered business schools in Nigeria, and some of these schools have gained international recognition for the quality of their curriculum and teaching.
Recent GMAC data shows that 30% of aspiring graduate management education students planned to apply to African business schools.
The report also names Nigeria the third most in-demand destination among Nigerian MBA candidates. The US and Canada take first and second position for preferred study location among Nigerian graduate management education candidates, but studying on home ground came third ahead of programs in the UK.
Business school aspirants in the country were looking for potential roles in products and services, finances and accounting, technology, and nonprofits. The functions most applicants said they wanted to move into were consulting followed by general management.
For those looking for the best university to study business administration in Nigeria, here is a list of top business schools in Nigeria, according to Eduniversal*.
5. American University of Nigeria
Location: Yola
The American University of Nigeria was set up by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to develop and support the future leaders of Africa. For this reason, its School of Business and Entrepreneurship is a key focus. Both global and sustainable development are given prominence in the MBA program.
The two-year MBA course takes a global view of business. It equips students with fundamental skills like problem-solving and lateral thinking alongside leadership and business functions to prepare them for a broad range of careers. If you don't have a business background, you can complete the university's Postgraduate Diploma inManagement before stepping up.
4. University of Lagos Business School
Location: Lagos
The University of Lagos was founded in 1962 and has over 40,000 students enrolled across three campuses. The Faculty of Business Administration is located at the main campus in Akoka, Lagos. The campus boasts scenic surroundings with the Lagos Lagoon nearby.
The Faculty of Business Administration has offered an MBA program since 1973 and now provides full-time and evening programs.
3. Ahmadu Bello University
Location: Zaria
Ahmadu Bello University is Nigeria's largest university, with more than 50,000 students and 500,000 alumni across all its faculties. The Faculty of Administration was founded in 1967. Its Department of Business Administration offers an MBA program with four separate specializations, allowing students to hone their skills in a specific area: finance, business analytics, credit and risk management, and taxation.
The University's Distance Learning Centre also offers a 100% online MBA program with four specializations: Hajj operations, HR, marketing, and finance and investment. Depending on whether you have a business administration background or not, the online MBA takes between 24-28 months to complete.
2. Obafemi Awolowo University
Location: Ife
Obafemi Awolowo University represents more than 30,000 students, 5,000 of whom are in postgraduate studies. Eduniversal has granted the department two Palmes of Excellence, designating it as a good business school with a strong regional influence. It scored a Dean’s Recommendation Rate of 42%.
The Department of International Relations is part of the Faculty of Administration, with both dating back to 1963. The MSc in International Relations here is a top-rated master's program, ranking as Eduvinersal's Best International Management Program in Nigeria.
1. Pan-Atlantic University: Lagos Business School
Location: Ajah
Lagos Business School has once again achieved three Palmes of Excellence from Eduniversal, signifying an 'excellent' business school with some international influence. It scored a Dean's Recommendation Rate of 211%.
The institution is the first business school in West, East, and Central Africa to be accredited by The Association of MBAs (AMBA), and the first in West Africa to be accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools (AACSB).
The Lagos Business School MBA focuses on responsible leadership in both African and world contexts. The two-year Modular MBA is delivered through a blend of online and on campus learning and is Eduvinersal’s top-ranking general management MBA for the country (fifth in Africa). The Executive program is also top-ranking for Nigeria (sixth in Africa).
Like the 18-month full time MBA program, it offers the option of a one-week international module and at the halfway point, there’s the option to take part in a 12-week internship with organisations outside Nigeria.
* Schools listed are those that have been awarded Eduvinersal's Palmes of Excellence accolades and offer postgraduate business programs, and those on its Selected Schools list. Selected Schools are "on the pathway to achieving" Palmes.
