FULL LIST: Nigerian Universities in THE 2026 World Rankings!
Reported by Marian Opeyemi Fasesan | Sele Media Africa
The latest Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026 has highlighted the performance of Nigerian universities on the global stage. Below is a full list of ranked Nigerian institutions and their global positioning band.
Nigerian Universities & Their THE 2026 Bands
801–1000
- University of Ibadan (UI) — Reclaimed Nigeria’s top spot. [1]
- University of Lagos (UNILAG) — Joined UI in the same band. [2]
1001–1200
- Bayero University Kano (BUK) — Tied in this band. [2]
- Covenant University (CU) — Previously top ranked, now in this band. [1]
- Landmark University — Also falls into this cohort. [1]
1201–1500
- Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) — Zaria
- Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT Minna)
- University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
- University of Jos (UNIJOS)
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) [1]
1501 +
- Babcock University
- Delta State University, Abraka
- Ekiti State University
- Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
- Federal University of Technology, Akure
- Federal University of Technology, Owerri
- 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) [1] Context & Takeaways
- The rankings evaluate universities on 18 performance indicators across five domains: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry engagement and international outlook. [1]
- A total of 51 Nigerian universities made the 2026 list — the highest number for Nigeria to date. [3]
- Nigeria remains the most‑represented Sub‑Saharan African country in the rankings, signalling growing institutional visibility globally. [4] Why It Matters
- These rankings reflect progress and global competitiveness of Nigerian higher education.
- Universities in higher bands can attract more international students, research collaborations and funding.
- Policy makers and academic leaders can use this data to focus reforms and investment strategies. What to Watch
- Movement of Nigerian universities into higher global bands in future years.
- How institutions leverage their ranking status for enhanced funding and partnerships.
- – Implementation of research and teaching reforms in lower‑ranked institutions.
Notes
While some earlier reports claimed that Covenant University topped an Africa‑specific interdisciplinary ranking, this refers to a different THE ranking (Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2025) where Covenant was placed 73rd globally and third in Africa. [5]
Citations:
- Punch: punchng.com/full-list-ui-emerges-nigerias-best-varsity-for-2026/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
- Times Higher Education (THE): www.timeshighereducation.com/student/best-universities/best-universities-nigeria?utm_source=chatgpt.com
- Nigeria Education News: thenigeriaeducationnews.com/2025/10/09/ui-reclaims-the-crown-how-university-of-ibadan-restored-nigerias-academic-glory-in-the-2026-world-rankings/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
- News Express Nigeria: newsexpressngr.com/news/279940/nigeria-dominates-sub-saharan-africa-in-2026-university-rankings-with-24-institutions?utm_source=chatgpt.com
- Times Higher Education (THE): www.timeshighereducation.com/press-releases/out-now-times-higher-education-interdisciplinary-science-rankings-2025?utm_source=chatgpt.com
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