Twenty-nine Nigerian universities have been ranked in the 2027 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, with Covenant University, the University of Ibadan (UI) and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) emerging as the country’s highest-ranked institutions.
The three universities were jointly placed in the 801–1000 global band in the rankings released by Times Higher Education on Wednesday.
Nigeria recorded an increase from 24 ranked universities in the 2026 edition to 29 this year, with five institutions making their debut in the global ranking.
The new entrants are Osun State University, University of Maiduguri, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Kwara State University and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
Covenant University also returned to the top position among Nigerian universities after dropping to third place in the 2026 national ranking, when the University of Ibadan and University of Lagos jointly occupied the top spot.
In the latest edition, Covenant University, UI and UNILAG share the 801–1000 global band.
They are followed by Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Bayero University, Landmark University and the University of Ilorin, which were ranked in the 1001–1200 band.
According to THE, the 2027 ranking assessed 2,297 universities across 118 countries and territories using 17 performance indicators grouped into five broad areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry.
The rankings also highlighted differences in the performance profiles of Nigerian universities across the five areas.
The University of Lagos recorded the highest research quality score among Nigerian institutions, with 67.8 points.
Bayero University, Kano, recorded the strongest international outlook among Nigerian universities, while Covenant University posted the highest industry score, reflecting its performance in university-industry links.
Globally, the University of Oxford retained the number one position for the 11th consecutive year.
In sub-Saharan Africa, the University of Cape Town emerged as the highest-ranked institution, rising to joint 147th globally from joint 164th in the previous edition.
THE said the number of ranked universities in sub-Saharan Africa increased from 55 in 2026 to 69 in 2027, with Nigeria accounting for the largest number of ranked institutions in the region.
Nigeria’s 29 Ranked Universities
1. Covenant University — 801–1000
2. University of Ibadan — 801–1000
3. University of Lagos — 801–1000
4. Ahmadu Bello University — 1001–1200
5. Bayero University — 1001–1200
6. Landmark University — 1001–1200
7. University of Ilorin — 1001–1200
8. Babcock University — 1201–1400
9. Osun State University — 1201–1400
10. University of Nigeria, Nsukka — 1201–1400
11. Federal University of Technology, Minna — 1401–1600
12. Nnamdi Azikiwe University — 1401–1600
13. Obafemi Awolowo University — 1401–1600
14. University of Benin — 1401–1600
15. University of Jos — 1401–1600
16. University of Maiduguri — 1401–1600
17. Federal University of Technology, Akure — 1601–1800
18. Federal University of Technology, Owerri — 1801–2000
19. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology — 1801–2000
20. Lagos State University — 1801–2000
21. Olabisi Onabanjo University — 1801–2000
22. University of Calabar — 1801–2000
23. Delta State University, Abraka — 2001+
24. Ekiti State University — 2001+
25. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta — 2001+
26. Federal University Oye-Ekiti — 2001+
27. Kwara State University — 2001+
28. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike — 2001+
29. University of Port Harcourt — 2001+
33 Others Listed as ‘Reporters’
A further 33 Nigerian universities were listed as “reporter” institutions.
THE said the designation applies to universities that submitted data but did not meet the eligibility requirements for inclusion in the global ranking.
Among the institutions are Abia State University, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Adamawa State University, Ajayi Crowther University, Akwa Ibom State University, Aletheia University, Al-Hikmah University, Ambrose Alli University, Augustine University, Baze University, Bells University of Technology, Bingham University, Bowen University, Nile University of Nigeria, Rivers State University, University of Cross River State and University of Delta.
THE said universities are eligible for consideration in the World University Rankings if they teach undergraduates, undertake research across a range of subjects and have published at least 1,000 research publications between 2021 and 2025, with a minimum of 100 publications annually.
Credit: Vanguard
