Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife is one of three Universities established in Nigeria between 1961 and 1962 as a result of the report submitted to the Federal Government in September, 1960, by a Commission it appointed in April 1959 under the Chairmanship of Sir Eric Ashby, Master of Clare College, to survey the needs of post-secondary and higher education in Nigeria over the next twenty years.
In 1992, the University established a collegiate system with five Colleges. The system did not function effectively and was abandoned after two years. However, the Postgraduate College and the College of Health Sciences were retained. The College of Health Sciences now comprises of the Faculties of Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences and Dentistry.
Throughout its history, OAU has pursued a strong commitment to the highest level of scientific research and teaching. The high level scientific work and researchers give a strong foundation for all technical education.Research at OAU covers a broad spectrum of the main fields of technology. OAU hosts a community of about 5,000 staff and over 26,000 students, and Research at OAU is conducted in a number of different ways, through individual Faculties and University Research Centres.
Below you will find scholarships related to Obafemi Awolowo University. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Read more about eligibility
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
By U.S. News & World Report
Climbed 275 places compared to 2026
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 1079 | 1157 | 882 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By Times Higher Education
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2027 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| - | 1501 | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By TopUniversities
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | 1401 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
The National Universities Commission (NUC), which has the statutory mandate to accredit academic programmes in all Nigerian Universities, has given full (100%) accreditation to all the academic programmes being run by the Faculty of Law, Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences and Faculty of Science of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
Based on 63 reviews
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Nigeria, doesn't hand you anything — you earn it. As a 500 level student, maintaining a first-class CGPA across every session, including a perfect 5.0 in my third year, meant genuinely mastering my field under pressure (pressures like loss of a loved one, financial downtimes etc.), with limited resources and uncompromisingly high expectations. The environment forges discipline and intellectual toughness that no comfortable university could. It is difficult, and that difficulty is exactly its greatest gift. The academic rigor here built a foundation strong enough to carry me onto international stages. Representing OAU in three consecutive ChemE-Sports competitions, I didn't just participate — I won. At the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Annual Students' Conference in San Diego, I claimed 9 awards including Overall First Place and Regional Winner for Europe & Africa. The Donald F. Othmer Academic Excellence Award recognized me as the top AIChE student member with the highest scholastic GPA in my chapter. None of that was gifted. It was a product of a rugged, character-building study experience. Beyond competitions, OAU pushed me into real research — extracting polyaromatic hydrocarbons from crude oil-contaminated water, producing biochar briquettes from waste for sustainable cooking, and currently exploring green additives as replacements for conventional drilling fluid additives. These are hands-on contributions to real engineering problems, not classroom exercises. The university also cultivated leadership in me. As SPE OAU Director of Community Engagement, I organized Energy4me STEM outreaches to secondary schools, charity visits, and environmental initiatives. As Communication Team Lead for SPE Lagos, I authored weekly technical write-ups educating the public on energy innovation. I came into OAU curious. I am leaving it as an award-winning chemical engineer — recognized as the overall best student in my department at 200 level (OAU Star Award), MTN Foundation Scholar as best 300 level student, and SPE Lagos & First E&P Scholar for best 400 level student, among many others. Obafemi Awolowo University is difficult. Unapologetically so. And that difficulty is its greatest gift to anyone willing to match it.
in my department, what or rather who I like most are the lecturers. they are dedicated and are true teachers. each class is always an interesting experience. What needs improvement will be the availability of necessary equipment improve our learning experience
I enjoyed my school as it didn't give room for marginalisation. Every student was treated equally. I loved it. I pray my children grow to school at Obafemi Awolowo University.
Wishlist