The study investigated the relationship between intellectual capital and performance of universities in South-South, Nigeria. The study employed a purposive sample of three top ranking Universities in Nigeria; University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State University, and University of Benin. A sample of three-hundred and sixty-one was drawn from the selected population of universities in Nigeria. The study utilized the cross-sectional research design. Data for the study were gotten through structured questionnaire and the data analytical technique employed was the structural equation modelling using the partial-least square estimation. The study affirms that the dimensions of intellectual capital such as; human capital, structural capital, relational capital and client capital all play significant role in stimulating the performance of universities, especially in terms of discipline referral and teachers satisfaction. The weakest dimension of intellectual capital observed in the University is the human capital dimensions. The study also observed that knowledge management culture helps catalyze the effect of intellectual capital on university performance. The study concludes that intellectual capital is a key ingredient in the promotion of university performance in the South South. In view of these observation, the study recommended amongst others that the university and government authority should encourage and invest in the development of its human capital through frequent orientation and reorientation and investment in research programmes for academic staff. It will help in the creation of new knowledge, improve the already existing knowledge and will help the lecturers to understand the recent trends in teaching and learning.