Esther Salifu
Nigeria’s higher education system recorded a significant boost in global visibility as the University of Ibadan (UI) reclaimed its position as the nation’s best university in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.
The ranking, published on Thursday, assessed 2,191 universities across 115 countries, using 18 performance indicators spread across five core areas teaching, research environment, research quality, industry engagement, and international outlook.
UI, Nigeria’s premier university, climbed from fourth position in 2025 to regain the national lead in 2026, placing between 801–1,000 globally ,a spot it last held in 2023. The Ibadan-based institution displaced Covenant University, which topped the national chart in 2024 and 2025.
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) followed closely in second place, while Bayero University, Kano (BUK) and Covenant University (CU) ranked third and fourth, respectively.
The 2026 results also revealed a reshuffling of strengths among Nigerian universities. UNILAG led in research quality with a score of 66.7, BUK stood out for its international outlook, and Covenant University recorded the highest industry engagement score, underscoring its strong connection with the private sector.
According to THE, over 174.9 million citations from 18.7 million research publications were analysed, alongside input from 108,000 scholars worldwide, highlighting the growing influence of Nigerian academics on global research output.
A total of 51 Nigerian universities featured in the 2026 rankings up from previous years reflecting what education analysts describe as “gradual progress in competitiveness despite systemic challenges.”
Below is a breakdown of Nigerian universities featured in the Times Higher Education 2026 World University Rankings:
1. University of Ibadan (UI) – 801–1000
2. University of Lagos (UNILAG) – 801–1000
3. Bayero University, Kano (BUK) – 1001–1200
4. Covenant University (CU) – 1001–1200
5. Landmark University – 1001–1200
6. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) – 1201–1500
7. Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMinna) – 1201–1500
8. University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) – 1201–1500
9. University of Jos (UNIJOS) – 1201–1500
10. University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) – 1201–1500
11. Babcock University – 1501+
12. Delta State University, Abraka – 1501+
13. Ekiti State University (EKSU) – 1501+
14. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) – 1501+
15. Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) – 1501+
16. Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) – 1501+
17. Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) – 1501+
18. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) – 1501+
19. Lagos State University (LASU) – 1501+
20. Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) – 1501+
21. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) – 1501+
22. University of Benin (UNIBEN) – 1501+
23. University of Calabar (UNICAL) – 1501+
24. University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) – 1501+
The remaining 27 institutions, including Admiralty University, Akwa Ibom State University, Redeemer’s University, and Rivers State University, were listed but not ranked due to lower data thresholds or incomplete submissions.
Education experts say the 2026 outcome signals gradual improvement in the global perception of Nigerian tertiary education, even as universities continue to grapple with funding, infrastructure, and research support challenges.
