Choosing the best university to study medicine and surgery should be a priority rather than just choosing just any university to study the course. Studying at the best university comes with a lot of advantages and also some leverage that can speed up your career nationally and internationally.
The best university for the medicine and surgery course is judged by many metrics, including accreditation, teaching hospitals, academic reputation, clinical training, admission competitiveness, and facilities.
When we give our list of the best universities in Nigeria to study medicine and surgery, your choices still matter, and also you have to consider the most possible options that will be favorable. For example, for your choice, you might want to avoid very competitive universities, and that means you won’t have to choose any universities that will be ranked.
If you are an aspirant and you decide to put your choice and options aside and you truly want to study at the best university in Nigeria for a medicine and surgery course, below is the list of the 7 best universities in Nigeria to study medicine and surgery.
Ahmadu Bello University Zaria School Fees 2026/2027
FUTA School Fees and Hostel Fee 2026/2027
Here are the best universities in Nigeria for studying Medicine and Surgery.
1. University of Ibadan (UI)
The University of Ibadan for many years has been ranked as the number one best university in Nigeria, and the university appearing as the number one best university to study medicine and surgery is not a mistake; it is one of such universities that you will love to attend to study any course, including medicine and surgery.
Medicine and Surgery is one of the foundational courses offered at the University of Ibadan; the course is offered through the College of Medicine, Department of Medicine and Surgery.
The University of Ibadan has been offering the Medicine and Surgery course since 1948, and the clinical operations for the course commenced operations as far back as 1950, so the institution has a long decade of establishment, which makes its graduates undoubtedly really valuable in the job market.
The University of Ibadan has excellent facilities and a strong, consistent reputation, so graduates find jobs quickly. Students of the institution also get to do their clinical training at the University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital, which is one of the best hospitals across Nigeria, so students are provided with practical skills before they even begin their careers.
Admission requirements are very strict, and the competition is very high, with candidates and aspirants of the course expected to have at least an 80.0 score in their Post-UTME examination, while the JAMB score is expected to be 320 and above.
° University of Lagos (UNILAG)
Ranking the second best university to study medicine and surgery in Nigeria is the University of Lagos (UNILAG). The institution offers medicine and surgery through its College of Medicine at the University of Lagos.
Medicine and surgery were introduced to the university as far back as the year 1962, so the institution has a deep root in medicine and surgery courses. Medical students from the 200 level and above do have their clinical training in the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) is one of the universities you should definitely study medicine and surgery at because of the high level of facilities that are available in the University Teaching Hospital, and also the institution has a research center where various research has been conducted, providing experience that is needed in the working field. Also, it also provides international opportunities.
Medicine and surgery is a very competitive course at UNILAG, and it will require a catchment cutoff mark of 83.8 and a merit mark of 85.025, which has to be gotten through the Institution Post-UTME examination.
3. University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Of course the first Nigerian university to award Indigenous degrees should be on the list. Located in Nsukka, the University of Nigeria is one of the reputable universities that is majorly known for its research ranging from the field of technology to science.
Medicine and surgery are offered at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, through the Faculty of Medical Sciences and Dentistry. The institution is one of the few universities in Nigeria that accept direct entry admission.
University of Nigeria Nsukaa has been one of the leading universities in the area of the medicine and surgery course, dating back to the 1980s and 1990s, when the university made a significant record in the separation of
Ischiopagus, Pygopagus, and Craniopagus are twins, so the university is a place for medical students who are interested in the research.
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, does conduct the Post-UTME examination combined with your JAMB. Candidates are expected to have at least 280 for educationally less developed states, while the merit cutoff mark is at least 320 marks and above.
4. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
Ahmadu Bello University is one of the universities that for many years has constantly been ranking for the best university to be situated in the Northern Region. The institution boasts a large landmass, extensive research, and a large staff.
The institution secured ₦4 billion from the federal government in order to increase the quota of students that the university will be able to admit in a year, so you might be lucky when you applied for the institution’s medicine and surgery course that the allocation quota has increased to less competition compared to when the quota was just 180 students at maximum.
Medicine and surgery are offered at Ahmadu Bello University; its College of Medical Sciences and Clinical Training for Medical Students are done at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital.
The university uses post-UTME grading and not post-UTME examination, so the competition can be extremely hard, so candidates for the medicine and surgery course are expected to have at least a 300 JAMB score.
5. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
Obafemi Awolowo University, popularly known as OAU or the Great Ife, is one of the most prestigious universities in Nigeria. The university is notable for its magnificent building and facilities. It is amongst the universities that pioneer medicine and surgery as a course in Nigeria.
Medicine and surgery are offered through the Faculty of Clinical Sciences Department of Medicine with other departments like Dermatology & Venerology, Medicine, Mental Health, Obstetrics & Gynecology & Perinatology, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Paediatrics & Child Health, Radiology, and Surgery.
Clinical training for medical students is conducted at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex. You will definitely enjoy it there as a medical student because of the presence of facilities and amenities.
Accreditation status is very strong, so students who graduated from the institution don’t usually face accreditation issues, and also competition in the course is extremely high, with candidates expected to score at least a 320 JAMB score and also a high score in the University Post-UTME Examination if you want to get admitted into the course.
6. Babcock University
Babcock University is a privately owned university that is situated in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State; it is one of the best private universities out of Nigeria.
Babcock University does offer medicine and surgery through its Benjamin S. Carson (Sir.) College of Health and Medical Sciences, and the program does run for the period of 6 years.
It should be noted that Babcock University is a private university, so the competitiveness is quite low for medicine and surgery compared to public universities; students are expected to score at least 240 and above. School fees are very expensive, ranging from ₦7,000,000 to ₦8,500,000 per session.
7. Afe Babalola University (ABUAD)
Afe Babalola University, located in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, is a private institution. The university is one of the best private universities.
Afe Babalola University offers medicine and surgery through its College of Medicine and Health Sciences. The institution is accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for the course in the institution.
Admission requirements for medicine and surgery are not as strict as those of public universities, but the requirement during your period is something you have to adhere to, or you will be dropped out of the course even though you are admitted.
Clinical training is usually conducted at the University Teaching Hospital, Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti Multi-System Hospital. The hospital is fitted with modern amenities and facilities, and also the university is known for its research.
How to Choose the Best University for Medicine and Surgery
° Accreditation
Accreditation should be one of the first checklists you have to tick for any university that you want to study the course. Medicine and surgery are regulated by MDCN in Nigeria, and if any institution fails to get accredited by this professional body, it is just a waste of time for such a student even if the university is accredited by NUC.
Most public federal universities usually have strong accreditation status, and their graduates are easily cleared after graduation, so the issue of accreditation is less common compared to state and private universities.
° Quality of teaching hospital
Medicine and Surgery is not a theory course but rather a practical hands training course, so it will require you to have practical hands training starting from your 200 level till you graduate. That means you will be spending some time in a teaching hospital, and this is necessary to get you the experience that will be needed when you start working.
The quality of the teaching hospital will determine the kind of experience and exposure you will get before you even graduate.
° Medical facilities and laboratories
There might be a good teaching hospital, and it can lack medical facilities and laboratories, and this can be a limitation for you after you graduate if you are posted or you get to work in a hospital that uses modern facilities and laboratories, so make sure you scan and watch out for the facilities and equipment and check whether they are modern.
° Experienced lecturers
What is the essence of modern laboratories, equipment, and a good teaching hospital? Without the teaching of an experienced lecturer, students are to check the numbers of experienced lecturers because this will determine the kind of teaching and learning they will get for the period of their study. A well-seasoned and experienced lecturer will have more to offer.
° School fees
We all know that financial capacity and strength differ, so choosing the university to study medicine and surgery should not be based on other factors alone, but finance also should be considered. In fact, it should be your number one factor you are supposed to consider. The question is whether I can afford this. The question should be asked before you even apply for the admission.
If you or your sponsor are not financially buoyant, you should consider public universities, most especially Federal University, because their fees are very low compared to private universities. An example is the comparison of Ahmadu Bello University school fees for medicine and surgery, which are below ₦300,000, compared to private universities like Bowen University that charge ₦7,000,000-₦8,000,000 per session.
° Accommodation
Accommodation is very essential for medicine and surgery students because of the high load of work and study involved with the course, so it will involve that your accommodation has to be something that has to be very close to the institution where you are taking lectures.
Admission Requirements to Study Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria
° O’Level Requirements
Candidates typically need at least five relevant credit passes, usually including:
° English Language
° Mathematics
° Biology
° Chemistry
° Physics
The required credits must satisfy the university’s rules concerning examination sittings and acceptable examination bodies.
Required O’Level grades
It is not a deniable fact that medicine and surgery are competitive courses, so the required O’Level grades based on others should be at least 3 A1s in three subjects and 2 Bs, or you can have 5 As in five subjects, which includes mathematics, English language, chemistry, physics, and biology.
JAMB Subject Combination
The usual UTME subject combination for medicine and surgery is
° Use of English
° Biology
° Chemistry
° Physics
Post-UTME requirements
Not all universities in Nigeria that offer medicine and surgery do conduct the Post-UTME examination, but the majority of them do. The subject requirements might differ in different universities for the medicine and surgery courses, but the most used ones will be mathematics, English language, chemistry, and biology.
How Much Does It Cost to Study Medicine and Surgery in Nigeria?
The cost of studying medicine and surgery in Nigeria depends on the university you intend to study the course at; public universities are quite cheaper compared to private universities.
Amongst the public universities, federal universities are very cheap compared to state universities, with federal universities paying below ₦500,000 per session, while state universities can typically range from ₦500,000 to ₦700,000 per session, while for private universities, the fee can be as high as ₦5,000,000 per session.
Other fees like accommodation, lab charges, professional fees, and others might differ from each university.
Alternative Medical Courses to Consider
° Dentistry
° Pharmacy
° Nursing
° Medical Laboratory Science
° Physiotherapy
° Radiography
° Optometry
° Public Health
Frequently Asked Questions
° Which is the best university to study medicine and surgery in Nigeria?
The best universities to study at in Nigeria are the University of Ibadan (UI), the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and many others.
° What is the number one university for medicine and surgery in Nigeria?
The number one university for medicine and surgery in Nigeria is the University of Ibadan (UI).
° Which state university is best for medicine and surgery?
The best state university for medicine and surgery is Lagos State University (LASU).
° What is the JAMB score required to study medicine and surgery?
The best recommended JAMB score for medicine and surgery is at least 300 and above
Olamilekan Stephen is a graduate of Economics, an education enthusiast, and a passionate advocate for promoting quality education in Nigeria. He is well-grounded in the field of education and has founded several education websites that have helped students at every stage of their academic journey. Through his work, he is committed to providing accurate, reliable, and up-to-date educational information to support students in achieving academic success.