The University of Ibadan (UI) and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) have emerged as the highest-ranked Nigerian universities in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, reaffirming their positions as the country’s leading institutions of higher learning.
The 2026 rankings, released by Times Higher Education, assessed more than 1,900 universities across 108 countries, using key performance indicators such as teaching quality, research output, citations, international outlook and industry income.
According to the ranking, UI and UNILAG are the only Nigerian universities placed within the 801–1000 global ranking band, making them the country’s best-performing institutions on the global stage.
Top Nigerian Universities in THE World University Rankings 2026
801–1000 Global Ranking Band
- University of Ibadan (UI)
- University of Lagos (UNILAG)
1001–1200 Global Ranking Band
- Bayero University, Kano (BUK)
- Covenant University
- Landmark University
1201–1500 Global Ranking Band
- Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria
- Federal University of Technology, Minna
- University of Ilorin
- University of Jos
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
1501+ Global Ranking Band
- Babcock University
- Delta State University, Abraka
- Ekiti State University
- Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB)
- Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA)
- Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO)
- Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE)
- Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH)
- Lagos State University (LASU)
- Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK)
- Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
- University of Benin (UNIBEN)
- University of Calabar (UNICAL)
- University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT)
(and other Nigerian universities listed in the 1501+ category)
Nigeria’s Global Standing
In total, over 50 Nigerian universities were featured in the 2026 THE rankings, although many were placed in broad ranking bands rather than precise positions. Despite increased participation, no Nigerian university made the global top 500, highlighting ongoing challenges in research funding, infrastructure, international collaboration and academic citations.
Education analysts note that private universities such as Covenant University and Landmark University continue to perform strongly in research impact, while older public universities dominate in teaching reputation and historical influence.
About the Ranking
The Times Higher Education World University Rankings are regarded as one of the most influential global university assessment systems, alongside QS and ARWU. The rankings rely heavily on research quality and citations, areas where African universities — including those in Nigeria — continue to face structural and funding limitations.
Conclusion
While UI and UNILAG remain Nigeria’s flagship universities on the global stage, the 2026 rankings underline the need for greater investment in research, innovation and international partnerships if Nigerian institutions are to compete more effectively with their peers worldwide.