Full List: UI edges Covenant, Unilag to emerge best university in 2026 rankings

The University of Ibadan (UI) has regained its status as Nigeria’s leading university in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026.

This federal institution located in Ibadan is now positioned in the 801–1,000 global band, improving from its fourth place in 2025, and outpacing other prominent Nigerian universities—a milestone it last reached in 2023.

THE assessed 2,191 institutions from 115 countries, measuring universities based on 18 performance indicators that include teaching, research, research environment, industry engagement, and international outlook.

UI has overtaken Covenant University (CU), which held the title of Nigeria’s best in 2024 and 2025. Following UI, the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Bayero University, and Covenant University are ranked second, third, and fourth nationally, respectively.

The 2026 ranking illustrates changes in global higher education, evaluating 174.9 million citations from 18.7 million research publications, along with survey feedback from over 108,000 scholars worldwide. Notably, UNILAG achieved the highest score in quality research with a score of 66.7, while Bayero University (BUK) excels in international outlook and CU leads in industry engagement.

Among Nigerian institutions, 51 universities are included in the ranking: only UI and UNILAG are within the 801–1,000 global band; BUK, CU, and Landmark University are ranked between 1001–1200; while five others—including Ahmadu Bello University, University of Ilorin, and University of Nigeria—are positioned between 1201–1500. Fourteen universities are ranked above 1501, and 27 institutions did not receive a ranking.

THE is a globally acknowledged independent organization that provides data and analysis for higher education, including the widely referenced World University Rankings. To qualify for ranking, universities must offer undergraduate education, engage in research across various disciplines, and have published at least 1,000 research publications from 2020 to 2024.

Top 30 Nigerian Universities in THE World University Rankings 2026
University of Ibadan (UI) – 801–1000
University of Lagos (UNILAG) – 801–1000
Bayero University Kano (BUK) – 1001–1200
Covenant University (CU) – 1001–1200
Landmark University – 1001–1200
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) – 1201–1500
Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT Minna) – 1201–1500
University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) – 1201–1500
University of Jos (UNIJOS) – 1201–1500
University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) – 1201–1500
Babcock University – 1501+
Delta State University, Abraka – 1501+
Ekiti State University – 1501+
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) – 1501+
Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) – 1501+
Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) – 1501+
Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) – 1501+
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) – 1501+
Lagos State University (LASU) – 1501+
Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) – 1501+
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) – 1501+
University of Benin (UNIBEN) – 1501+
University of Calabar (UNICAL) – 1501+
University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) – 1501+
Admiralty University of Nigeria – 1501+
Akwa Ibom State University – 1501+
Al-Hikmah University – 1501+
Augustine University – 1501+
Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti – 1501+
Bauchi State University, Gadau – 1501+