Public UniversityFederal UniversityNUC Accredited

Obafemi Awolowo University

Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria . Founded 1962 . Nigeria's first Faculty of Pharmacy; renamed for statesman Obafemi Awolowo in 1987

~30,000

Students

Faculties

200+

JAMB Cut-off

About Obafemi Awolowo University

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), formerly the University of Ife, is a federal university in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Founded in 1962 by the regional government of Western Nigeria, it was renamed in 1987 in honour of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. OAU’s campus spans roughly 13,000 acres and is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful in Africa, designed by Israeli architect Arieh Sharon. The university comprises 13 faculties plus a College of Health Sciences, with a student population of over 30,000.

OAU houses Nigeria’s first Faculty of Pharmacy, established in 1969, and its own teaching hospital complex used for medical training and research. The university does not charge an acceptance fee, unlike many other Nigerian institutions.

OAU is ranked #1 in Nigeria in the 2025 US News Best Global Universities list. Notable alumni include Afrobeats star Asake (Ahmed Ololade) and Fatou Bensouda, former Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.

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Faculties & Schools

AGRICULTURE

Agriculture

HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES

Arts Social Sciences Education

BUSINESS & LAW

Law Administration

STEM & ENGINEERING

Science Environmental Design and Management Technology

HEALTH SCIENCES

Pharmacy Basic Medical Sciences Clinical Sciences Dentistry

Notable Programs

Pharmacy

Nigeria's first Faculty of Pharmacy, established in 1969.

Law

JAMB cut-off among the highest at OAU, around 270 for the 2024/25 cycle.

Medicine & Surgery (MBBS)

Delivered through the College of Health Sciences (Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Dentistry), with its own OAU Teaching Hospitals Complex.

Agriculture

One of OAU's five founding faculties from 1962, supporting the university's Institute of Agricultural Research and Training.

Admission Requirements

JAMB UTME CUT-OFF

200+

O-LEVEL CREDITS

5 Credits Required

Including English & Mathematics

POST-UTME

Screening Required

No acceptance fee charged, unlike many Nigerian universities

Tuition & Fees

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Campus & Location

Ile-Ife, Osun State — Ancient Yoruba city; sprawling 13,000-acre campus with Arieh Sharon-designed architecture often cited as among Africa's most beautiful. Home to the OAU Teaching Hospitals Complex.