FULL LIST: UI Reclaims Nigeria’s Best University Title in 2026 World Rankings, UNN Ranks 10th

The University of Ibadan (UI) has reclaimed its position as Nigeria’s best university in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026, returning to the top spot it last held in 2023.

According to the ranking released on Thursday via THE’s official website, UI was placed within the 801–1,000 band globally, outperforming other leading Nigerian universities. The 2026 edition assessed 2,191 institutions across 115 countries, measuring performance using 18 indicators across five key areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry, and international outlook.

UI moved up from fourth place in 2025 to take the lead, displacing Covenant University, which topped the charts in both 2024 and 2025. The University of Lagos (UNILAG) ranked second in Nigeria, followed by Bayero University, Kano (BUK), and Covenant University (CU) in third and fourth positions, respectively.

Globally, the ranking analysed more than 174.9 million citations from 18.7 million research publications and gathered responses from over 108,000 scholars. UNILAG recorded the highest research quality score among Nigerian universities with 66.7, while BUK emerged best in international outlook. Covenant University maintained its strong industry connection, earning the top industry score nationally.

Out of 51 Nigerian institutions featured, only UI and UNILAG were ranked within the 801–1,000 range. BUK, CU, and Landmark University appeared between 1001–1200, while five others—Ahmadu Bello University, Federal University of Technology Minna, University of Ilorin, University of Jos, and University of Nigeria, Nsukka—were placed in the 1201–1500 range. Fourteen universities fell above 1501, and 27 others were not ranked.

Full List of Nigerian Universities in THE World University Rankings 2026:

1. * University of Ibadan (801–1000)
2. * University of Lagos (801–1000)
3. * Bayero University (1001–1200)
4. * Covenant University (1001–1200)
5. * Landmark University (1001–1200)
6. * Ahmadu Bello University (1201–1500)
7. * Federal University of Technology, Minna (1201–1500)
8. * University of Ilorin (1201–1500)
9. * University of Jos (1201–1500)
10. * University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1201–1500)
11. * Babcock University (1501+)
12. * Delta State University, Abraka (1501+)
13. * Ekiti State University (1501+)
14. * Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (1501+)
15. * Federal University of Technology, Akure (1501+)
16. * Federal University of Technology, Owerri (1501+)
17. * Federal University Oye-Ekiti (1501+)
18. * Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (1501+)
19. * Lagos State University (1501+)
20. * Nnamdi Azikiwe University (1501+)
21. * Obafemi Awolowo University (1501+)
22. * University of Benin (1501+)
23. * University of Calabar (1501+)
24. * University of Port Harcourt (1501+)
25. * Admiralty University of Nigeria
26. * Akwa Ibom State University
27. * Al-Hikmah University
28. * Augustine University
29. * Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti
30. * Bauchi State University, Gadau
31. * Bayelsa Medical University
32. * Baze University
33. * Bells University of Technology
34. * Bowen University
35. * Evangel University, Akaeze
36. * Federal University of Lafia
37. * Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun
38. * Fountain University
39. * Godfrey Okoye University
40. * Igbinedion University Okada
41. * Kaduna State University
42. * Lagos State University of Education
43. * Lagos State University of Science and Technology
44. * Lead City University
45. * Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria
46. * Nasarawa State University, Keffi
47. * Redeemer’s University
48. * Rivers State University
49. * Thomas Adewumi University
50. * University of Cross River State
51. * University of Delta

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings are globally recognised for providing reliable data and insights on institutional performance. To be included, universities must teach undergraduates, conduct research across multiple disciplines, and have published at least 1,000 research papers between 2020 and 2024, averaging no fewer than 100 annually.