University Of Ibadan has been ranked by Times Higher Education, as Nigeria’s best University, ahead of UNILAG, BUK, and Covenant, in its 2026 global rankings.
The University of Ibadan (UI) has been ranked Nigeria’s best university in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026, reclaiming the top national spot it last held in 2023.
The ranking, released on Wednesday October 8, 2025, placed UI within the 801–1,000 global bracket, ahead of 50 other Nigerian institutions evaluated in the report. The federal university in Oyo State rose from fourth position in 2025, surpassing Covenant University, which topped the national list in the previous two editions.
The Times Higher Education assessment covered 2,191 universities across 115 countries, evaluating performance across five key areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry engagement, and international outlook.
Following UI, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) ranked second in Nigeria, while Bayero University Kano (BUK) and Covenant University (CU) came third and fourth, respectively. Both UI and UNILAG were ranked within the 801–1,000 band globally.
Read Also: Bayero University Kano Expels 57 Students Over Exam Fraud
BUK, CU, and Landmark University were placed between 1,001–1,200, while five other Nigerian universities — including Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), the Federal University of Technology, Minna, the University of Ilorin, the University of Jos, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka — fell within the 1,201–1,500 range.
Another 14 Nigerian institutions were ranked above 1,500, while 27 were listed but not ranked.
The 2026 global rankings drew from 174.9 million citations across 18.7 million research publications, alongside survey responses from more than 108,000 scholars worldwide.
The report highlighted specific institutional strengths: UNILAG earned Nigeria’s highest score in research quality with 66.7 points, BUK led in international outlook, while Covenant University maintained the strongest industry links.
UI’s resurgence marks a return to form for Nigeria’s oldest university, which has long been regarded as a hub of academic excellence and research in West Africa. Analysts say its improved standing reflects ongoing efforts to enhance research visibility and global collaboration.
THE, a globally respected higher education data provider, ranks universities that teach undergraduates, produce multidisciplinary research, and have published at least 1,000 papers between 2020 and 2024 — with a minimum of 100 per year.
Nigeria’s growing presence in the global rankings, with 51 institutions featured, underscores renewed competition among the country’s universities to strengthen research, innovation, and international partnerships.
Africa Daily News, New York
