The Nigerian Universities/higher education sector is celebrating a major milestone following the release of the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for 2026. The new league table confirms a significant ascent for the nation’s tertiary institutions, with two prominent federal universities the University of Ibadan (UI) and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) successfully securing positions among the world’s most elite institutions, placing them in the top 1,000 global ranking band.
The two institutions were placed in the 801–1,000 global ranking band, officially making them the jointly highest-ranked universities in Nigeria. This achievement represents a substantial improvement compared to the previous year, 2025, where only one Nigerian university managed to break into the top 1,000. UI, in particular, made a remarkable upward move, rising from the fourth position it held nationally in the 2025 ranking. Both UI and UNILAG attained an impressive overall range score of between 35.5 and 38.9. This collective success resulted in the former national leader, Covenant University, being moved into the next tier.
The 2026 edition of the THE rankings is considered one of the most comprehensive evaluations yet, surveying 2,191 institutions globally and assessing them based on 18 performance indicators grouped into five core pillars: Teaching, Research Environment, Research Quality, International Outlook, and Industry.
An analysis of these metrics reveals the specific areas of strength that powered the Nigerian institutions to their current standing. The University of Lagos (UNILAG) stood out for its scholarly output, registering the highest score among all Nigerian universities in Research Quality with an impressive 66.7 points. This score highlights the institution’s significant impact in global academia through high-quality published research. UI also demonstrated strong research quality with 63.5 per cent. Furthermore, UNILAG showed strong performance in Industry Income, scoring 32.6.
Beyond the top two, other universities excelled in niche areas. Bayero University Kano (BUK) led the national list in the International Outlook category, reflecting its success in attracting international staff, students, and fostering global research collaborations. Meanwhile, Covenant University maintained its strength in the area of Industry, posting the highest national score for its knowledge transfer and revenue derived from private-sector partnerships.
In total, 51 Nigerian universities were featured in the 2026 global ranking. While UI and UNILAG occupied the top band, the national list continued to demonstrate academic depth across several tiers.
Immediately following the two leaders, the next band, 1,001–1,200 globally, featured three institutions: Bayero University Kano (BUK), Covenant University, and Landmark University. These three institutions banded in the same overall score range of 32.1 – 35.4.
The subsequent band, 1,201–1,500 globally, saw the inclusion of five federal universities: Ahmadu Bello University, Federal University of Technology Minna, University of Ilorin, University of Jos, and the University of Nigeria Nsukka.
Finally, fourteen other institutions, including Babcock University, Delta State University, Lagos State University (LASU), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), and University of Benin (UNIBEN), were all placed in the 1501+ global band.
This remarkable national performance has drawn praise from key stakeholders. Professor Emeritus Peter Okebukola, Chairman of the Nigerian Universities Ranking Advisory Committee (NURAC) and former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), specifically applauded the inclusion of two Nigerian universities in the top 1,000. He called this success a significant improvement over the 2025 league tables, where only one institution achieved that level of recognition.
Professor Okebukola stressed that to sustain and improve this positive trajectory, it is imperative for all stakeholders to double down on their commitment. He emphasized the urgent need for increased investment in cutting-edge research infrastructure, improved staff welfare, and enhanced funding for public universities. This collective effort, he noted, is necessary to strengthen institutional and human research capacities across all metrics of the global rankings, ensuring Nigerian universities continue to compete favorably on the world stage. FOR MORE INFORMATION, I RECOMMEND SONGBUX.
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