University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan, Oyo State, has been named Nigeria’s top university in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026. The fresh ranking places UI in the 801–1000 global band moving it ahead of other leading Nigerian institutions and restoring a top national position it last held in 2023.
THE’s 2026 edition evaluated 2,191 institutions from 115 countries using 18 performance indicators across five key pillars: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry engagement and international outlook a methodology that highlights both institutional strengths and global trends in higher education.
In the national ranking shuffle, UI climbed from fourth place in 2025 to become Nigeria’s best in 2026, dethroning Covenant University which held the top spot in 2024 and 2025. Following UI, the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Bayero University Kano (BUK) and Covenant University occupied the next positions among Nigerian entrants.
The 2026 tables also underline specific institutional strengths: UNILAG scored highest for research quality among Nigerian universities, BUK led on international outlook, while Covenant University recorded the strongest industry engagement score, each metric reflecting different areas of institutional performance.
How Nigerian universities featured in THE 2026 rankings
Out of 51 Nigerian institutions included in THE’s 2026 list:
- UI and UNILAG appear in the 801–1000 global band.
- BUK, Covenant University and Landmark University are placed in the 1001–1200 band.
- Five institutions — Ahmadu Bello University, Federal University of Technology Minna (FUTMINNA), University of Ilorin, University of Jos and University of Nigeria, Nsukka — sit in the 1201–1500 range.
- Fourteen universities were listed in the 1501+ category, while 27 Nigerian institutions were not ranked.
Full list of Nigerian universities named in THE World University Rankings 2026
- University of Ibadan (801–1000)
- University of Lagos (801–1000)
- Bayero University, Kano (1001–1200)
- Covenant University (1001–1200)
- Landmark University (1001–1200)
- Ahmadu Bello University (1201–1500)
- Federal University of Technology, Minna (1201–1500)
- University of Ilorin (1201–1500)
- University of Jos (1201–1500)
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1201–1500)
- Babcock University (1501+)
- Delta State University, Abraka (1501+)
- Ekiti State University (1501+)
- Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (1501+)
- Federal University of Technology, Akure (1501+)
- Federal University of Technology, Owerri (1501+)
- Federal University Oye-Ekiti (1501+)
- Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (1501+)
- Lagos State University (1501+)
- Nnamdi Azikiwe University (1501+)
- Obafemi Awolowo University (1501+)
- University of Benin (1501+)
- University of Calabar (1501+)
- University of Port Harcourt (1501+)
- Admiralty University of Nigeria (unranked/1501+)
- Akwa Ibom State University
- Al-Hikmah University
- Augustine University
- Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science & Technology, Ikere-Ekiti
- Bauchi State University, Gadau
- Bayelsa Medical University
- Baze University
- Bells University of Technology
- Bowen University
- Evangel University, Akaeze
- Federal University of Lafia
- Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun
- Fountain University
- Godfrey Okoye University
- Igbinedion University Okada
- Kaduna State University
- Lagos State University of Education
- Lagos State University of Science & Technology
- Lead City University
- Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria
- Nasarawa State University, Keffi
- Redeemer’s University
- Rivers State University
- Thomas Adewumi University
- University of Cross River State
- University of Delta
Note: The list above follows the breakdown published in contemporary media coverage of THE’s 2026 World University Rankings and the data released on THE’s platform. For the authoritative breakdown, methodology and the global ranking table, see THE’s official World University Rankings 2026.
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About THE World University Rankings: Times Higher Education is an independent global organisation that produces data and analysis for higher education, its annual World University Rankings are widely referenced by students, policymakers and institutions. Inclusion in the 2026 ranking requires a university to teach undergraduates, produce research across a range of subjects, and meet minimum publication thresholds for the review period. 6
Sources: PUNCH Online; Times Higher Education (World University Rankings 2026).
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