Bells University of Technology (BUT), also known as Bellstech, is the first private university of technology established in Nigeria. It was established in 2004, and began admitting students from the 2005/2006 academic session. It is located in Ogun State of Nigeria.
Bells was established in 2004 by The Bells Educational Foundation, which already ran nursery, primary and secondary schools. The Bells Educational Foundation is owned by Olusegun Obasanjo, former-President of Nigeria.
Bells University of Technology was established in 2005 as NigeriaâÂÂs first private university of technology. Situated in Ota, Ogun State, the institution was created to bridge the gap between theoretical education and practical technological innovation in Nigeria.
Establishment and Foundation
The university was founded by the Bells Educational Foundation, a private educational organization committed to advancing quality education in Nigeria. Before establishing the university, the foundation had already built a strong reputation through its nursery, primary, and secondary schools.
Following the Federal GovernmentâÂÂs approval for private universities, the foundation applied for and received a licence from the National Universities Commission (NUC) on 9 June 2005. Academic activities officially commenced on 1 July 2005.
The core objective of the foundation was to develop a technology-driven institution that would produce graduates equipped with entrepreneurial skills, innovation capacity, and technical expertise necessary for national development.
Ownership and Proprietorship
The Bells Educational Foundation is owned by Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria. As proprietor of the foundation, Obasanjo played a central role in the establishment and strategic direction of the university.
While the foundation is the formal founding body, ObasanjoâÂÂs ownership makes him the principal force behind the creation of Bells University. His long-standing advocacy for educational development and technological advancement in Nigeria significantly influenced the universityâÂÂs mission and growth.
Growth and Impact
Since its establishment, Bells University of Technology has expanded its academic offerings across engineering, environmental sciences, natural and applied sciences, management sciences, and information technology. The institution continues to emphasize research, innovation, and industry collaboration, aligning with its founding vision of practical and solution-oriented education.
Today, Bells University stands as a symbol of private sector participation in NigeriaâÂÂs higher education system, reflecting the vision of the Bells Educational Foundation and the leadership of Olusegun Obasanjo.
Bells is made up of seven colleges and thirty-five departments. Due to restructuring some colleges were merged and since 1 August 2016, it has three colleges: College of Engineering & Environmental Sciences, College of Natural & Applied Sciences and College of Management Sciences.
In 2024, Bells University gained accreditation from NUC for 13 courses
The 17th Convocation Ceremony of Bells University of Technology in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria, took place in late October and early November 2025 as part of the institutionâÂÂs 20th anniversary celebrations.
A pre-convocation lecture was delivered by Professor Tunji Olaopa, Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, on 31 October 2025. His lecture addressed the theme of youth development, focusing on skills mismatch and unemployment in NigeriaâÂÂs national development.
The main convocation events were held on 1 November 2025 at the BUPF International Conference Centre, where degrees and diplomas were awarded to graduating students across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The ceremony also featured the conferment of honorary degrees and various cultural activities.
At the ceremony, the university reported that numerous students achieved high academic distinctions, including first-class honours and exceptional performance awards.
Sports are an integral part of student life at Bells University of Technology. The university promotes active participation in variety of games such as football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, Lawn tennis, Badminton, Athletics, Chess, scrabble, encouraging students to balance academics with physical and mental development.
Through regular competitions and training, sports foster teamwork, discipline, and strong campus spirit, making them a vital aspect of the university experience.
In addition, Bells University of Technology successfully hosted the 2026 edition of the Nigerian Private Universities Games Association (NPUGA) Championships, bringing together private universities across Nigeria for a memorable sporting event.
The competition featured five games: Football, Basketball, Table Tennis, Chess, and Scrabble, all marked by intense rivalry, impressive performances, and outstanding sportsmanship.
The championship not only showcased athletic and intellectual excellence but also strengthened unity and collaboration among participating institutions, leaving a lasting impact on student sports in Nigeria.
Bells University of Technology has established partnerships with several institutions and organizations to enhance research, innovation, and academic development:
According to EduRank 2025, Bells University of Technology is ranked globally 6,499 of 14,131 universities. In Africa, it is ranked 267 of 1,104 universities, and in Nigeria, it is ranked 59 of 157 universities.