Covenant University, the University of Ibadan (UI) and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) have emerged as Nigeria’s highest-ranked universities in the 2027 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.
The three institutions were jointly placed in the 801–1000 global band in the ranking released by THE on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
Nigeria recorded 29 ranked universities in the 2027 edition, an increase from the 24 institutions featured in the previous ranking.
Five universities made the ranking for the first time: Osun State University, University of Maiduguri, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Kwara State University and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
Covenant University returned to the top group among Nigerian universities after being placed behind UI and UNILAG in the 2026 edition. The latest ranking now places all three institutions in the same 801–1000 global band.
They are followed by Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) and Bayero University (BUK), which occupy the next two Nigerian positions and are both placed in the 1001–1200 global band.
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THE evaluates research-intensive universities across five broad areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry.
The 2027 edition covers 2,297 universities across 118 countries and territories and uses 17 performance indicators across the five areas.
Globally, the University of Oxford retained the number one position for the 11th consecutive year.
In sub-Saharan Africa, the University of Cape Town emerged as the highest-ranked institution, moving up to joint 147th position from joint 164th in the previous edition.
The number of ranked universities in the region also increased from 55 to 69, with Nigeria recording the highest number at 29.
The ranking also highlighted areas in which individual Nigerian universities performed strongly.
UNILAG recorded the highest research quality score among Nigerian institutions at 67.8, while Bayero University had the highest international outlook score. Covenant University recorded the highest industry score among Nigerian universities.
Full list of ranked Nigerian universities
Covenant University — 801–1000
University of Ibadan — 801–1000
University of Lagos — 801–1000
Ahmadu Bello University — 1001–1200
Bayero University — 1001–1200
Landmark University — 1001–1200
University of Ilorin — 1001–1200
Babcock University — 1201–1400
Osun State University — 1201–1400
University of Nigeria, Nsukka — 1201–1400
Federal University of Technology, Minna — 1401–1600
Nnamdi Azikiwe University — 1401–1600
Obafemi Awolowo University — 1401–1600
University of Benin — 1401–1600
University of Jos — 1401–1600
University of Maiduguri — 1401–1600
Federal University of Technology, Akure — 1601–1800
Federal University of Technology, Owerri — 1801–2000
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology — 1801–2000
Lagos State University — 1801–2000
Olabisi Onabanjo University — 1801–2000
University of Calabar — 1801–2000
Delta State University, Abraka — 2001+
Ekiti State University — 2001+
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta — 2001+
Federal University Oye-Ekiti — 2001+
Kwara State University — 2001+
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike — 2001+
University of Port Harcourt — 2001+
THE also listed 33 Nigerian institutions as reporter institutions. These universities submitted data but did not meet the eligibility requirements needed to receive a position in the World University Rankings.
They ar Abia State University, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Adamawa State University, Ajayi Crowther University, Akwa Ibom State University, Aletheia University, Ago-Iwoye, Al-Hikmah University, Ambrose Alli University and Augustine University.
Also in this category are Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti, Bayelsa Medical University, Baze University, Bells University of Technology, Bingham University, Bowen University, Evangel University, Akaeze, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Federal University, Otuoke, Fountain University, Godfrey Okoye University, Igbinedion University, Okada and Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University.
Others include Lagos State University of Education, Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria, Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Miva Open University, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nile University of Nigeria, Plateau State University, Bokkos, Rivers State University, University of Cross River State, and University of Delta.
According to THE, universities must meet specific eligibility requirements to receive a world university rankings position. These include teaching undergraduates, conducting research across a range of subjects and meeting the publication requirements set by the ranking methodology.
The 2027 edition therefore reflects both the growing number of Nigerian institutions participating in global university benchmarking and the continued differences in their performance across teaching, research, international outlook and industry engagement.
