Some Nigerian universities will boldly include architecture in their list of available courses but the question is, are they practising what they’ve promised to teach?
I decided to start from the basics and check the main gate structure of 13 Nigerian public universities. Here’s what I found.
Federal University of Technology, Minna
![We Ranked The Main Gate of 13 Nigerian Universities](https://c7684bdb45.mjedge.net/wp-content/uploads/zikoko/2024/04/DFAF1198-7B58-4C1B-BF52-084C1E242D3A-1024x683.jpeg)
Is it a TETFUND abandoned project?r Is it a buy one, get one free low budget estate? I’m not sure what I’m looking at.
Obafemi Awolowo University
![We Ranked The Main Gate of 13 Nigerian Universities](https://c7684bdb45.mjedge.net/wp-content/uploads/zikoko/2024/04/2B677C6E-AFED-43B3-9EBE-5B5D82930CFE.png)
Not sure what they set out to achieve with this high rise structure, but I know I’ll be far from excited if I show up at my prospective university and find the gate looking like this.
University of Ilorin
![We Ranked The Main Gate of 13 Nigerian Universities](https://c7684bdb45.mjedge.net/wp-content/uploads/zikoko/2024/04/9CE68F92-A693-48D1-B3EC-EA0DCD59E7CB.jpeg)
I’m not going to be fooled by the “Better by Far” signage, this main gate is only slightly better than OAU’s.
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
![](https://c7684bdb45.mjedge.net/wp-content/uploads/zikoko/2024/04/9E2E1A69-7B7B-46E9-9339-AE9FD09D4312-1024x757.jpeg)
I think management wanted a little hint of dystopian architecture, but I’m not quite sure they hit the mark.
![](https://c7684bdb45.mjedge.net/wp-content/uploads/zikoko/2024/03/IMG_0653-1-1024x512.png)
Get your tickets here for a day of fun, networking and partayyyyy
Enugu State University
![We Ranked The Main Gate of 13 Nigerian Universities](https://c7684bdb45.mjedge.net/wp-content/uploads/zikoko/2024/04/2CDF42A9-42C6-4D40-BC3C-9A1DD0979F73-1024x744.jpeg)
They’re on this spot because I’ve decided to let the saturation in this photo fool me.
Federal University of Owerri
![](https://c7684bdb45.mjedge.net/wp-content/uploads/zikoko/2024/04/1179C078-B3D1-43FA-9239-AD42D0F00365.jpeg)
The uneven trees, the sparse garden, the weird spacing of the name…It’s just not giving.
University of Calabar
![We Ranked The Main Gate of 13 Nigerian Universities](https://c7684bdb45.mjedge.net/wp-content/uploads/zikoko/2024/04/D2FD921E-CEB9-4D85-8B5B-92562297C070.jpeg)
This is what I envision anytime I hear or read about the “Wall of Jericho”. I don’t know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing.
University of Jos
![](https://c7684bdb45.mjedge.net/wp-content/uploads/zikoko/2024/04/BE7EBFE4-4C3C-4414-A97B-BA60E7F2A2B9.jpeg)
There’s a chance I’m being fooled by the little garden they have going on, but something about this main gate doesn’t scream “You gon see shege”.
University of Benin
![](https://c7684bdb45.mjedge.net/wp-content/uploads/zikoko/2024/04/2FBA8010-3645-47FD-AE74-D24340CD7369.jpeg)
There’s something about this gate that is too similar to the semi-permanent eyebrows you find on Yoruba Nollywood actresses. They also get a C-minus for that sparsely cultivated garden.
Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB)
![](https://c7684bdb45.mjedge.net/wp-content/uploads/zikoko/2024/04/E8DFEE64-C91E-4CF9-ABF0-35BE1EC52AAB.jpeg)
Is it me or this gate is giving a mix of the Bermuda Triangle and the Eye of Providence? Anyway, they get a decent C+ for their little garden.
University of Lagos
![We Ranked The Main Gate of 13 Nigerian Universities](https://c7684bdb45.mjedge.net/wp-content/uploads/zikoko/2024/04/00B59797-0153-4182-BA53-621F5D9C57A1.jpeg)
Is that a GeePee tank in the frame? God, abeg. Anyway, UNILAG makes it this far up the list because of that digital clock. I think it’s a super cool touch.
Kwara State University
![](https://c7684bdb45.mjedge.net/wp-content/uploads/zikoko/2024/04/319D50FD-FFA3-4B6E-8B65-133B63302185.jpeg)
At first glance, it looks like a lot is going on. But you know what? I’ll take it over all the other ones we’ve seen.
University of Ibadan
![](https://c7684bdb45.mjedge.net/wp-content/uploads/zikoko/2024/04/835E11E7-630B-40DC-A299-C68B9516CF80.jpeg)
If you can ignore the military outpost vibe, they get a solid B+ for this architecture. It’s grand, very “In your face” and has a lot of greenery.
Read also: These Colonial Buildings Will Make You Appreciate Nigerian History