University of Al-Karaouine - located in Morocco, it is the oldest university in the world, establish in 859 AD/CE.

Al-Azhar University - a public in Egypt and the second oldest in the world, established in 970 AD/CE.

University of Gao, Timbuktu, Mali, was a Medieval citadel of learning in West Africa established around the 15th century AD/CE

University of Sankore, Mali, was another Medieval ivory tower established in West Africa around the 16th century AD/CE.

A great Arabic school in Madobi Quarters, Kano City, Nigeria, existed in precolonial times akin to a University, which was famous, and had students from West Africa and beyond.

Gobarau was a kind of University in Katsina City, Nigeria, during precolonial times. It produced great Islamic scholars that were respected in West Africa.

Ahmed Baba was a renowned Professor and Vice Chancellor of University of Gao, Timbuktu, who was an author of many books, and celebrated worldwide in Medieval period.

Cheikh Anta Diop (1923-1986) was a great and celebrated scholar from Senegal who schooled in Paris, France, where he obtained his doctorate degree. His rare history books backed with unique archaeological data on the origins of mankind and human civilization traced to black Africa stood him out among his generation.