University of Ibadan ranking soars as it claims Nigeria’s top university spot in Times Higher Education 2026, showcasing excellence in research and teaching

The University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State, has reclaimed its position as Nigeria’s top university in the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026, announced on Thursday.

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UI is ranked between 801 and 1,000 globally, rising from fourth place in 2025 to dethrone Covenant University (CU), which held the number one spot in Nigeria in 2024 and 2025.

The THE rankings assessed 2,191 universities across 115 countries, evaluating 18 performance indicators spanning five key areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry income, and international outlook.

Following UI in the Nigerian rankings are the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in second place, Bayero University third, and Covenant University fourth.

Highlights of Nigerian Universities in THE Rankings

1. University of Ibadan (801–1000)
2. University of Lagos (801–1000) — highest in research quality with a score of 66.7
3. Bayero University (1001–1200)
4. Covenant University (1001–1200) — highest industry income score
5. Landmark University (1001–1200)
6. Ahmadu Bello University (1201–1500)
7. Federal University of Technology, Minna (1201–1500)
8. University of Ilorin (1201–1500)
9. University of Jos (1201–1500)
10. University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1201–1500)

Bayero University Kano (BUK) also stands out as Nigeria’s best in international outlook.

In total, 51 Nigerian institutions were featured in the rankings, with 14 universities placed beyond 1501 and 27 not ranked.

The 2026 rankings reflect a significant global survey involving 174.9 million citations from 18.7 million research publications and feedback from over 108,000 scholars worldwide.

THE, a globally recognised independent organisation, bases its rankings on universities that:

Offer undergraduate programmes
Produce research across multiple subjects
Publish at least 1,000 research articles between 2020 and 2024, with a minimum of 100 annually

UI’s resurgence to the top spot signals a positive shift in Nigeria’s higher education landscape amid increasing global competition.

The University of Lagos’ recognition for research quality and Covenant University’s strong industry ties demonstrate the diversity of strengths across Nigerian universities.

The rankings provide crucial insight for prospective students, educators, policymakers, and investors looking to engage with Nigeria’s academic institutions.

Full List of Ranked Nigerian Universities

(Select notable universities)

1.  University of Ibadan (801–1000)
2.  University of Lagos (801–1000)
3.  Bayero University (1001–1200)
4.  Covenant University (1001–1200)
5.  Landmark University (1001–1200)
6.  Ahmadu Bello University (1201–1500)
7.  Federal University of Technology, Minna (1201–1500)
8.  University of Ilorin (1201–1500)
9.  University of Jos (1201–1500)
10.  University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1201–1500)

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For a full list, visit the Times Higher Education website.

University of lagos