The ranking, published on Thursday, October 9, 2025, shows UI regaining the position it last held in 2023, dethroning Covenant University, which had held the title for the last two years (2024 and 2025).
Global and National Standing
Globally, the University of Ibadan secured a position within the 801–1,000 band, placing it ahead of all other Nigerian institutions.
A total of 51 Nigerian universities were featured in the 2026 ranking, which assessed 2,191 institutions from 115 countries based on 18 performance indicators across five key areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry, and international outlook.
Nigeria's Top 10 Universities (THE 2026 Ranking)
Only two Nigerian universities managed to break into the world's Top 1000 band. The top-ranked Nigerian institutions and their global bands are:
| Rank in Nigeria | University Name | Global Ranking Band |
| 1 | University of Ibadan (UI) | 801–1,000 |
| 2 | University of Lagos (UNILAG) | 801–1,000 |
| 3 | Bayero University (BUK) | 1001–1,200 |
| 4 | Covenant University (CU) | 1001–1,200 |
| 5 | Landmark University | 1001–1,200 |
| 6 | Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) | 1201–1,500 |
| 7 | Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA) | 1201–1,500 |
| 8 | University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) | 1201–1,500 |
| 9 | University of Jos (UNIJOS) | 1201–1,500 |
| 10 | University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) | 1201–1,500 |
Areas of Excellence
The 2026 ranking highlighted the individual strengths of several top Nigerian institutions:
• University of Lagos (UNILAG) was ranked highest in Research Quality, scoring 66.7.
• Bayero University (BUK) was recognized as the best Nigerian university for International Outlook.
• Covenant University (CU) secured the highest Industry score, reflecting its strong connections to commercial and industrial sectors.
Other notable institutions ranked in the 1501+ band include Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Lagos State University (LASU), University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), and Babcock University, among others.
See full 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
The Times Higher Education World University Rankings is a globally recognized independent ranking that provides data and analysis for the higher education sector.