2026: UI emerges best University in Nigeria(FULL LIST)

The University of Ibadan (UI) has once again emerged as Nigeria’s best university, according to the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.

Released on Thursday via THE’s official website, the latest global ranking placed the prestigious institution in the 801–1,000 bracket worldwide, ahead of other leading Nigerian universities. This recognition marks UI’s return to the top spot in Nigeria a position it last held in 2023.

The 2026 rankings evaluated 2,191 universities across 115 countries, using 18 performance indicators that assess excellence in five key areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry engagement, and international outlook.

UI climbed from fourth place in 2025 to become Nigeria’s top university for 2026, dethroning Covenant University, which held the number one spot in 2024 and 2025.

Following UI in the new list are the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Bayero University, Kano (BUK), and Covenant University (CU), ranked second, third, and fourth respectively.

The 2026 edition reflects a major shift in the global higher education landscape, based on the analysis of 174.9 million citations from 18.7 million research publications and survey feedback from over 108,000 scholars worldwide.

“THE rankings also show the strength of individual institutions. UNILAG is ranked highest in quality research, scoring 66.7.”

BUK emerged as Nigeria’s best university in terms of international outlook, while Covenant University maintained the highest industry score, reflecting its strong linkage with industries.

Out of 51 Nigerian universities featured in THE 2026 ranking, only UI and UNILAG ranked between 801–1000 globally. BUK, CU, and Landmark University fall within 1001–1200, while Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMinna), University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), University of Jos (UNIJOS), and University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) rank between 1201–1500.

Additionally, 14 Nigerian universities were listed in the 1501+ category, while 27 others were featured but not ranked.

Full list of Nigerian universities in THE 2026 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 is a globally recognised independent organisation that provides data and analysis for the higher education sector, including the widely adopted World University Rankings.”

While data submission is open to all universities, institutions are only ranked in the World University Rankings 2026 if they teach undergraduates, produce research across a range of subjects, and have published at least 1,000 research publications between 2020 and 2024, with a minimum of 100 a year.”