Top 10 Most Educated States in Nigeria (2023)

 

Educational Development in Nigeria is not spread evenly amongst all the states in Nigeria. Some states have a higher literacy than other states. This may be due to the availability of schools from primary to tertiary levels found in the state.

This might be as a result the difference in socio-economic, political or religious beliefs spreads across various parts of the country. For example, in some religions, Western education is considered to have a negative influence on their cause and this is very particular in the Northern states.

In this post we rank the top 10 best educated states in Nigeria currently, their academic institutions and other facts as to why these states are seen as the highest when it comes to literacy level, learning standards and educational strides plus attainment.

 

List of Top 10 Most Educated States in Nigeria (2023)

1. IMO STATE

Imo state is the best educated state in Nigeria with its literacy level set at 96.43% when looking at educational advancement. Imo state is one of the most educated states in south east, Nigeria with the highest number of graduates.

It is home of prestigious schools like Technological skills Acquisition Institute, Orlu; Federal University of Technology, Owerri; Federal Polytechnic, Nekede and Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri. Statistically, Imo state also has the highest percentage of bachelor’s degree holders, the highest percentage of graduate degree holders and its universities has an high average quality required from a university. Owerri the state capital has a number of quality primary/secondary schools adding with its first rated public and private universities. The state government has plans to make it reach greater heights in the educational sector by Contents proposing and commencing establishment of six new institutions. They are: University of Engineering, Onuimo, University of Agriculture, Aboh Mbaise, Ehime Polytechnic and the Ihitte Uboma College of Education. This plan which was set up by the former state governor, Rochas Okorocha in 2018 is to be completed by succeeding governments.

 

2. LAGOS STATE

Lagos state is found in the southwestern region of Nigeria with its capital at Ikeja and it is said to be the most economically important state in the country making it the most developed state in the country with its literacy level of around 96%.

Lagos state is not lacking education-wise as it has one of the best tertiary and secondary school education, thereby producing credible graduates to service in various companies. The state hosts well known secondary schools like Kings College, Queens College, St. Finbarr’s College etc.

Some notable tertiary institutions include; University of Lagos, Lagos State University, Lagos State Polytechnic, Federal college of technology Yaba etc.

 

3. ANAMBRA STATE

Anambra is another best educated Nigerian state located in the south eastern region with its literacy level set at 95.76%. They are known for producing successful businessmen and entrepreneurs from their educational institutions. The Nnamdi Azikiwe University is the state’s most prominent and qualitative school of learning. The university is named after Nnamdi Azikiwe who was the first most educated indigenous leader of Nigeria. The state has some of the best secondary schools in the country in the like of Christ the King College, Onitsha, Bethlehem Schools, Federal Government Girls College and Onitsha High School. These schools were added with the tertiary institutions to give its residents more higher education. Universities and Polytechnics in Anambra state include: Nnamdi Azikiwe University, the state’s Chukwuemeka Ojukwu University, Madonna University, Legacy University, Paul University, Ekwenugo Okeke Polytechnic, Anambra State Polytechnic and Federal Polytechnic, Oko. These schools of learning offer quality education and has made the state to be ranked high educationally.

 

4. OYO STATE

This is an inland state found in southwestern Nigeria with its capital at Ibadan which is idly the third most populous city in Africa. Oyo state is also at the top when it comes to education giving them a literacy level of around 94.30%.

Oyo state is home to not only the first university in Nigeria but also the best university in Nigeria showing how immense the quality of education present is. Examples of some universities in Oyo state include; University of Ibadan, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo state technical university, Lead City University, Dominion University Ibadan, etc.

 

5. RIVERS STATE

Rivers State is one of the major producers of oil and gas, Nigeria’s main income generator. With this you can be sure that much of the state’s budget will be going to education to maintain these resources. The University of Port­Harcourt, Rivers State University of Technology, Port­Harcourt Polytechnic and the Rivers State College of Health Science are some of the prolific higher institutions in the state. Rivers is seen as one of the top most educated Nigerian state this 2023 with a literary level set at 92.11%.

 

6. OGUN STATE

Ogun State is one of the most educated state that has the highest academic personalities with a literacy level set at 90.57%. Former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, Abiodun and many other literates are from this state. The top­notch Covenant university is in the state not excluding Federal University of Agriculture, University Ago Iwoye. Others are Tai Solarin College of Education, Federal Government College, Odogbolu, Federal Government Girls College, Sagamu, Bell’s University, Babcock University, Mountain Top University and Caleb University. With these fully facilitated schools, you could conclude that the state is indeed educationally advanced.

 

7. ENUGU STATE

Enugu state is located in the south-eastern part of Nigeria with its capital at Enugu. It is also home to some of the Notable Tertiary Educational Institutions in Nigeria. It is also host to the first Federal University in Nigeria – The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) which is the second-best university in Nigeria. It has a literacy rate of around 90%. Other institutions in Enugu state includes Enugu State University of Science and Technology Enugu, Godfrey Okoye University Ugwuomu-Nike Enugu, Coal city university Enugu State, Caritas University, etc.

The Coal City State has a high literacy level of 90% due to its highly educational resources.

 

8. DELTA STATE

Delta state sees education as a priority to solve the challenges of its rich oil and gas. No wonder its overall literacy level is pegged at 89.50%. There is the Film and Broadcast Academy, Ozoro, College of Education, Agbor, College of Education, Arondizuogu and Ahiara Polytechnic in the state to support the universities in the state. The state plays host to many quality universities, polytechnics, secondary schools and colleges of learning. They include: Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun; Delta State University; Delta State Polytechnics and numbers of good secondary/ primary schools adding with the one we mentioned earlier.

 

9. AKWA­ IBOM STATE

This is yet another most educated state in Nigeria and also a rich oil and gas producing state with high advancement in educational disciplines. The state which is located in the coastal region has most of her earnings from petroleum. And they have through it invested more in ensuring quality education that meets the world’s standards. With a literacy level at 88.90%, the well-known higher schools in the State which are few to list: University of Uyo; Akwa ­Ibom State University of Technology, Mkpat­ Enin; Akwa ­Ibom State Polytechnic has produced enough highly educationally inclined individuals to put the state in view.

 

10. OSUN STATE

Osun state is a state in southwestern Nigeria with its capital at Osogbo and is blessed with more than five (5) Reputable Universities. It is a state highly populated with Yoruba indigenous. Osun state has a literacy rate of around 88.40% and the schools found in this state are Governments owned or owned by individuals found in the state.

Some of the Universities found includes; Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Bowen University Iwo, Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji, Redeemer’s University Ede and Osun State University. From this, it can be seen that its people are highly invested in the educational enlightenment of its people.