Best Universities in Nigeria revealed in Times Higher Education World Rankings 2026 (see list)

Best Universities in Nigeria revealed in Times Higher Education World Rankings 2026 (see list)

The University of Ibadan (UI) has emerged as Nigeria’s top university in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026, overtaking Covenant University, which previously held the position in 2025.

The rankings, which assess universities worldwide across multiple performance metrics, placed UI ahead of other leading Nigerian institutions, reaffirming its status as a national leader in higher education.

Compiled from a vast global dataset, the 2026 rankings drew on responses from over 108,000 scholars and analyzed 18.7 million research publications generating more than 174.9 million citations, reflecting both academic influence and research impact.

While UI climbed from fourth place in 2025 to first among Nigerian universities, Covenant University retains its distinction for having the highest industry score, highlighting strong ties to industry, and Bayero University (BUK) leads in international outlook. University of Lagos (UNILAG) was recognized for producing the highest quality research, scoring 66.7.

Out of 51 Nigerian institutions featured in the 2026 ranking, UI and UNILAG fall in the 801–1000 band.

BUK, Covenant University, and Landmark University are in the 1001–1200 range.

Ahmadu Bello University, Federal University of Technology, Minna, University of Ilorin, University of Jos, and University of Nigeria, Nsukka are ranked 1201–1500 globally.

The remaining institutions, including Babcock University, Delta State University, and Ekiti State University, fall into the 1501+ category.

Full list of Nigerian universities in THE 2026 ranking:
University of Ibadan (801–1000), University of Lagos (801–1000), Bayero University (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, Akwa Ibom State University, Al-Hikmah University, Augustine University, Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and 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 and 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.