University of Ibadan Reclaims Top Spot in Nigeria’s 2026 World University Rankings

The University of Ibadan in Oyo State has regained its position as Nigeria’s leading university in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026.

The results, released on Thursday via THE’s website, placed the institution within the 801–1,000 global band, ahead of other top Nigerian universities—a ranking it last achieved in 2023.

The 2026 assessment reviewed 2,191 universities from 115 countries, using 18 performance indicators covering five major categories: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry, and international outlook.

UI advanced from fourth place in 2025 to become Nigeria’s top-ranked university, displacing Covenant University, which led in 2024 and 2025. The University of Lagos came second, Bayero University ranked third, and Covenant University placed fourth. Jane onlyfans creador janemautin

The report highlighted global changes in higher education, with data drawn from over 174.9 million citations, 18.7 million research publications, and feedback from more than 108,000 academics worldwide.

Within Nigeria, UNILAG scored highest in research quality with 66.7 points. Bayero University led in international outlook, while Covenant University had the strongest industry connections.

Among the 51 Nigerian universities listed, UI and UNILAG were ranked within 801–1,000 globally. Bayero University, Covenant University, and Landmark University were placed between 1001–1200, while Ahmadu Bello University, the Federal University of Technology Minna, University of Ilorin, University of Jos, and University of Nigeria fell between 1201–1500.

Additionally, 14 universities were placed above the 1501 mark, and 27 institutions were unranked.

See the full list

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 is a globally recognized independent organization that delivers data and analysis for the higher education sector, including the widely used World University Rankings.

Although any university can submit data, only institutions that offer undergraduate programs, conduct research across multiple disciplines, and have published at least 1,000 research papers between 2020 and 2024—with no fewer than 100 annually—are eligible to be ranked in the 2026 World University Rankings.