Obafemi Awolowo University

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), formerly known as the University of Ife, is a federal government-owned university located in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), formerly known as the University of Ife, is a federal government-owned university located in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Established in 1961, OAU is one of the most prestigious universities in Nigeria and has a long history of academic excellence. The university is named after Chief Obafemi Awolowo, a Nigerian statesman, politician, and lawyer who played a key role in the country's independence movement.

The University of Ife was founded in 1961 by the regional government of Western Nigeria, under the leadership of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. The university was initially established as a satellite campus of the University of Ibadan, but it quickly gained its own identity and became one of the leading universities in Nigeria.

The university's first vice-chancellor was Professor Oladejo Osuntokun, a renowned physician and scientist. Under Osuntokun's leadership, the university established a strong foundation in the sciences and the humanities.

In 1967, the University of Ife moved to its permanent campus in Ile-Ife. The new campus was designed to be a modern and vibrant learning environment, and it quickly became a focal point for the city of Ile-Ife.

In 1970, the University of Ife became a federal government-owned university. This change brought with it both challenges and opportunities. On the one hand, the university now had access to greater financial resources. On the other hand, it was also subject to more government control. Despite these challenges, the University of Ife continued to thrive in the post-independence era. The university expanded its research activities and established new academic programs. It also became a leading center for student activism, and its students played a role in the struggle for democracy in Nigeria.

In 1987, the University of Ife was renamed Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in honor of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who had died the previous year. Awolowo was a visionary leader who had played a key role in the founding of the university, and his name is now synonymous with academic excellence in Nigeria.

OAU is today a leading institution of higher learning in Nigeria and Africa. The university has a strong reputation for academic excellence, and it offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in a variety of fields. OAU is also a major contributor to research and innovation, and its work is helping to improve the lives of people around the world.

Obafemi Awolowo University is ranked as the #6 top university in Nigeria during 2025. This is the same rank as last year.