The Federal Government has allocated ₦6.16 billion in capital funding to the University of Maiduguri in the 2026 budget, making it the highest recipient among federal universities.
An analysis of the 2026 Federal Government budget by TheCableIndex shows that the Bayero University Kano ranks second with ₦4.98 billion, followed by the University of Abuja with ₦3.90 billion.
The Ahmadu Bello University received ₦3.69 billion, while the University of Calabar was allocated ₦3.22 billion.
Further breakdown shows that the University of Jos got ₦2.91 billion, the University of Benin ₦2.53 billion, and the Usman Danfodiyo University Sokoto ₦2.39 billion.
The National Open University of Nigeria received ₦2.35 billion, while the Federal University of Technology Minna got ₦1.82 billion.
Other allocations include the Obafemi Awolowo University (₦1.75 billion), Nnamdi Azikiwe University (₦1.56 billion), and the University of Nigeria Nsukka (₦1.54 billion).
The University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos each received ₦1.52 billion, while the University of Ilorin got ₦1.46 billion.
Also listed are the University of Uyo (₦1.43 billion), Federal University of Technology Owerri (₦1.36 billion), University of Port Harcourt (₦1.23 billion), and the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (₦1.13 billion).
In total, the top 10 universities received over ₦30 billion in capital allocations, with northern institutions accounting for a significant share of the funding.
The capital allocations are part of the Federal Government’s efforts to improve infrastructure, enhance research capacity and upgrade learning facilities across federal universities nationwide.
2026 budget: Full list
1. University of Maiduguri – ₦6.16bn
2. Bayero University Kano – ₦4.98bn
3. University of Abuja – ₦3.90bn
4. Ahmadu Bello University – ₦3.69bn
5. University of Calabar – ₦3.22bn
6. University of Jos – ₦2.91bn
7. University of Benin – ₦2.53bn
8. Usman Danfodiyo University Sokoto – ₦2.39bn
9. National Open University of Nigeria – ₦2.35bn
10. Federal University of Technology Minna – ₦1.82bn
11. Obafemi Awolowo University – ₦1.75bn
12. Nnamdi Azikiwe University – ₦1.56bn
13. University of Nigeria Nsukka – ₦1.54bn
14. University of Ibadan – ₦1.52bn
15. University of Lagos – ₦1.52bn
16. University of Ilorin – ₦1.46bn
17. University of Uyo – ₦1.43bn
18. Federal University of Technology Owerri – ₦1.36bn
19. University of Port Harcourt – ₦1.23bn
20. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University – ₦1.13bn
