The University of Ibadan (UI) has reclaimed its position as Nigeria’s number one university, according to the newly released Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026.
This marks a major comeback for the institution, which jumped from fourth place in the 2025 rankings to retake the top spot it last held in 2023.
The 2026 edition of the global rankings assessed 2,191 universities from 115 countries, evaluating them across 18 performance indicators covering teaching quality, research environment, research influence, industry collaboration, and international outlook.
In the latest global band placement, both the University of Ibadan (UI) and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) ranked within the 801–1,000 range, reflecting their consistent performance among leading institutions worldwide.
Following UI’s strong performance, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) secured the second position nationally, while Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Covenant University, and Landmark University all earned respectable global placements within the 1,000–1,200 range. Other top-performing institutions include Ahmadu Bello University, the Federal University of Technology, Minna, the University of Ilorin, University of Jos, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, all falling within the 1,200–1,500 category.
The rankings also shed light on key strengths across Nigerian universities. UNILAG emerged as the top institution in research quality, achieving a score of 66.7 in that category. Bayero University, Kano (BUK) led in international outlook, reflecting its growing collaborations and student exchange programs. Meanwhile, Covenant University continued to dominate the industry category, maintaining its strong ties with the private sector and demonstrating impressive knowledge transfer outcomes.
Overall, 51 Nigerian institutions made it into the 2026 Times Higher Education ranking, underscoring the country’s expanding academic presence on the global stage. However, 27 other universities did not meet the minimum data requirements for inclusion in the ranking bands.
The University of Ibadan’s latest achievement reinforces its reputation as a trailblazer in higher education, research excellence, and innovation. It also highlights the continued progress of Nigeria’s tertiary education sector as universities strive to meet international standards and boost their global competitiveness.
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