List of Universities in Nigeria and Their Catchment Areas and ELDS

In Nigeria, universities often follow certain guidelines when admitting students, especially when it comes to state or federal government institutions. A key aspect of the admission process involves the catchment area and Educationally Less Developed States (ELDS). These factors can influence the admission chances of students, particularly for candidates applying through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

What is a Catchment Area?

A catchment area refers to a geographic zone from which a university gives preference during its admission process. It typically consists of states or regions that are near or affiliated with the institution. Federal universities are required to admit a percentage of students from their catchment areas, ensuring regional diversity and fairness.

What are Educationally Less Developed States (ELDS)?

ELDS are states in Nigeria that have historically lower access to educational opportunities. To promote equality in education, universities allocate a portion of their admission slots to candidates from these states. Admission scores and requirements may be relaxed for students from ELDS to increase their chances of gaining admission.

Below is a detailed list of universities in Nigeria, their catchment areas, and the designated ELDS for admission purposes:

Universities in Nigeria and Their Catchment Areas and ELDS:

1. University of Lagos (UNILAG)

• Catchment Area: Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo, Osun
• ELDS: Taraba, Yobe, Gombe, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Niger

2. University of Ibadan (UI)

• Catchment Area: Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo, Osun
• ELDS: Kebbi, Jigawa, Zamfara, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Gombe, Bauchi, Yobe, Niger, Sokoto, Taraba

3. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria

• Catchment Area: Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Jigawa, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Zamfara
• ELDS: Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Yobe, Taraba, Ekiti, Ondo, Lagos, Oyo

4. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife

• Catchment Area: Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo
• ELDS: Kebbi, Zamfara, Ebonyi, Jigawa, Yobe, Gombe, Bayelsa, Taraba, Sokoto, Bauchi, Niger

5. University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)

• Catchment Area: Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Rivers
• ELDS: Yobe, Gombe, Taraba, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Jigawa, Niger, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Ebonyi

6. Bayero University, Kano (BUK)

• Catchment Area: Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi
• ELDS: Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Yobe, Taraba, Ondo, Ekiti, Lagos, Oyo

7. Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO)

• Catchment Area: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo
• ELDS: Yobe, Gombe, Jigawa, Kebbi, Zamfara, Sokoto, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Taraba, Niger

8. University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)

• Catchment Area: Kwara, Kogi, Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Oyo
• ELDS: Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Taraba, Jigawa, Gombe, Yobe, Bauchi, Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto

9. University of Benin (UNIBEN)

• Catchment Area: Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers
• ELDS: Kebbi, Zamfara, Taraba, Yobe, Jigawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Sokoto, Ebonyi, Niger

10. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB)

• Catchment Area: Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti
• ELDS: Gombe, Yobe, Zamfara, Kebbi, Ebonyi, Taraba, Jigawa, Sokoto, Bayelsa

11. University of Jos (UNIJOS)

• Catchment Area: Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger
• ELDS: Jigawa, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Bauchi, Yobe, Taraba, Gombe

12. University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID)

• Catchment Area: Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Adamawa, Gombe, Taraba
• ELDS: Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti

13. Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA)

• Catchment Area: Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, Osun
• ELDS: Yobe, Kebbi, Zamfara, Jigawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Sokoto, Taraba, Bayelsa, Ebonyi

FAQs

1. What is the purpose of catchment areas in Nigerian universities?
Catchment areas ensure that students from specific regions have a better chance of admission to their local or neighboring federal universities. This system promotes diversity and regional representation in the student body.

2. How do Educationally Less Developed States (ELDS) affect admissions?
Candidates from ELDS may have lower cutoff marks and less stringent admission criteria to encourage greater educational representation from states with historically lower access to education.

3. Can a student outside a university’s catchment area still gain admission?
Yes, students from outside a catchment area can still gain admission. However, the admission criteria may be more competitive compared to candidates within the catchment area.

4. How do universities decide which states are ELDS?
The Federal Ministry of Education designates certain states as ELDS based on factors such as literacy rates, educational infrastructure, and historical access to education.

5. Does the catchment area system apply to private universities?
No, the catchment area system and ELDS considerations mainly apply to federal and state universities. Private universities do not typically use this system in their admission processes.

Conclusion

Understanding catchment areas and ELDS is crucial for students seeking admission into Nigerian universities. These factors can significantly influence the admission chances of candidates based on their state of origin and the university they are applying to.

Related Article: List Of OAU Courses and Programmes Offered

For more detailed information, candidates should refer to JAMB’s official website and Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) for updates on admission guidelines and policies.