Full List: UI reclaims top spot as Nigeria’s best university
By Jeffrey Agbo
The University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State, has reclaimed its position as Nigeria’s best university in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, marking a return to the top after two years.
According to the latest ranking released on THE’s official website on Thursday, UI placed in the 801–1,000 global band, outperforming other Nigerian institutions to regain the top position it last held in 2023.
The 2026 edition evaluated 2,191 universities across 115 countries, using 18 performance indicators grouped into five key areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry engagement, and international outlook.
UI rose from fourth place in 2025 to reclaim the number one position in Nigeria, dethroning Covenant University, which held the top spot in 2024 and 2025.
Trailing UI are the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Bayero University Kano (BUK), and Covenant University (CU), ranked second, third, and fourth respectively.
The 2026 report reflects major shifts in the global higher education landscape, incorporating over 174.9 million citations from 18.7 million research publications and survey responses from more than 108,000 scholars worldwide.
In specific metrics, UNILAG leads all Nigerian universities in research quality with a score of 66.7, while BUK tops in international outlook, and Covenant University records the highest industry score—showing its strong collaboration with the private sector.
Out of the 51 Nigerian universities featured in the 2026 ranking, only UI and UNILAG are placed in the 801–1,000 global band. BUK, CU, and Landmark University fall within 1,001–1,200, while Ahmadu Bello University, Federal University of Technology, Minna, University of Ilorin, University of Jos, and University of Nigeria, Nsukka rank between 1,201–1,500 globally.
Additionally, 14 Nigerian universities were classified above 1,501, while 27 institutions were unranked.
THE stated that only universities that teach undergraduates, produce research across multiple disciplines, and have published at least 1,000 research papers between 2020 and 2024 (with a minimum of 100 annually) were eligible for inclusion in the World University Rankings 2026.
See the full list:
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
, Oyo State, has reclaimed its position as Nigeria’s best university in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE)){kind=link}