The University of Ibadan, Oyo State, has been ranked as Nigeria’s best university in the newly released Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2026.

The latest ranking, published on Thursday, placed the premier university between 801 and 1,000 in the global table, restoring it to the top position in Nigeria which it last held in 2023.

The development marks a significant leap for UI, which moved from fourth place in 2025 to emerge first, ahead of other leading institutions.

The survey covered over 2,100 institutions from 115 countries and territories, with universities assessed across 18 performance indicators in five broad areas, teaching, research environment, research quality, industry links, and international outlook.

It reflected a shift in the global higher education landscape, drawing from more than 174.9 million citations in 18.7 million research publications, alongside survey responses from 108,000 scholars worldwide.

Following Ibadan on the Nigerian table are the University of Lagos and Bayero University, Kano, in second and third positions, while Covenant University, which topped the rankings in 2024 and 2025, dropped to fourth place.

According to the Times ranking, UNILAG distinguished itself with the highest quality research score among Nigerian universities, while BUK posted the strongest international outlook.

Covenant, despite losing its top spot, was recognised for its industry connections, emerging with the country’s highest industry score.

Out of the 51 Nigerian institutions included in the 2026 ranking, only the University of Ibadan and UNILAG secured placements within the 801–1,000 bracket globally.

Several others, including Bayero University, Covenant University and Landmark University, were ranked between 1001 and 1200, while Ahmadu Bello University, Federal University of Technology, Minna, the University of Ilorin, the University of Jos, and the University of Nigeria appeared between 1201 and 1500.

Fourteen universities were placed above the 1501 category, while 27 others were unranked.

See the full list

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

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