UI Emerges Nigeria’s Best University for 2026 — Times Higher Education Ranking

By Ademola Adekusibe
October 9, 2025

The University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State, has been named Nigeria’s best university in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, reclaiming the top position from Covenant University, which led in 2024 and 2025.

According to the ranking published by Times Higher Education on Thursday, UI and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) are the only Nigerian universities ranked within the 801–1000 global band, placing them among the top 1,000 universities in the world.

Covenant University, Bayero University, and Landmark University followed closely in the 1001–1200 band, while Ahmadu Bello University, the Federal University of Technology (Minna), the University of Ilorin, the University of Jos, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, all appeared in the 1201–1500 category.

Other Nigerian institutions ranked within the 1501+ global band include:
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), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Lagos State University, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Benin, University of Calabar, University of Port Harcourt, 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, and University of Delta.

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings assess universities based on teaching, research quality, international outlook, and industry engagement.

The 2026 results show a steady rise in Nigeria’s visibility on the global academic stage, with over 40 Nigerian universities featured in this year’s publication, the highest number to date.