The University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State, has been named Nigeria’s best university in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026, reclaiming the top spot it last held in 2023.

The ranking, released on Thursday via THE’s official website, placed UI within the 801–1,000 band globally, ahead of other leading Nigerian institutions.

The latest results mark a major comeback for the country’s premier university, which climbed from fourth place in 2025 to lead the 2026 national table, displacing Covenant University — Nigeria’s top performer in the 2024 and 2025 editions.

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

The 2026 edition assessed 2,191 universities across 115 countries, using 18 performance indicators grouped into five core pillars: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry engagement, and international outlook.

According to THE, this year’s analysis drew on 174.9 million citations from 18.7 million research publications, alongside responses from more than 108,000 scholars worldwide — the most comprehensive assessment in the ranking’s history.

UI and UNILAG were the only Nigerian universities ranked between 801–1,000 globally, while BUK, CU, and Landmark University appeared in the 1001–1200 band.

Five universities — Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMinna), University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), University of Jos (UNIJOS), and University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) — placed within 1201–1500.

Fourteen other Nigerian universities fell in the 1501+ category, while 27 institutions were listed but not ranked.

The Times Higher Education data also highlighted specific strengths among Nigerian universities:

• UNILAG recorded the highest score in research quality (66.7).
• BUK led in international outlook, reflecting its growing global collaboration.
• Covenant University topped in industry engagement, showing strong partnerships between academia and the private sector.

Full List of Nigerian Universities in THE 2026 Ranking

801–1000:

• University of Ibadan (UI)
• University of Lagos (UNILAG)

1001–1200:

• Bayero University, Kano (BUK)
• Covenant University (CU)
• Landmark University

1201–1500:

• Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
• Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMinna)
• University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
• University of Jos (UNIJOS)
• University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)

1501+:

• 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

Listed but not ranked:
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 World University Rankings is one of the world’s most respected assessments of higher education performance. It evaluates universities using independently verified data and a consistent methodology that balances research excellence, teaching environment, and industry collaboration.

To qualify for the 2026 ranking, universities must teach undergraduates, conduct multidisciplinary research, and have published at least 1,000 research papers between 2020 and 2024 — with a minimum of 100 publications per year.