FULL LIST: UI Tops Nigeria’s Best Varsity For 2026

FULL LIST: UI Tops Nigeria’s Best Varsity For 2026

The University of Ibadan (UI), located in Oyo State, has reclaimed its position as Nigeria’s top university in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026.

According to the latest rankings published on THE’s official website on Thursday, UI was placed within the 801–1,000 band globally, leading all other Nigerian universities — a position it last held in 2023.

This year’s evaluation covered 2,191 institutions from 115 countries, using 18 performance indicators grouped under five major categories: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry engagement, and international outlook.

UI rose from fourth place in 2025 to become Nigeria’s best university in 2026, overtaking Covenant University, which topped the charts in both 2024 and 2025.

Behind UI in the national ranking are the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in second place, Bayero University, Kano (BUK) in third, and Covenant University (CU) in fourth.

The 2026 edition also highlighted shifts in global higher education trends, analysing over 174.9 million citations from 18.7 million research publications, alongside survey feedback from more than 108,000 scholars worldwide.

In terms of specific strengths, UNILAG recorded the highest research quality score (66.7) among Nigerian institutions, while BUK led in international outlook, and Covenant University topped in industry engagement, reflecting strong ties with the corporate sector.

Of the 51 Nigerian universities featured in the 2026 rankings:

UI and UNILAG ranked between 801–1,000, BUK, CU, and Landmark University placed within 1,001–1,200, While Ahmadu Bello University, Federal University of Technology, Minna, University of Ilorin, University of Jos, and University of Nigeria ranked between 1,201–1,500.

Additionally, 14 Nigerian universities appeared in the 1501+ category, and 27 others were listed but not ranked.

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. Lagos State University (1501+)

21. Nnamdi Azikiwe University (1501+)

22. Obafemi Awolowo University (1501+)

23. University of Benin (1501+)

24. University of Calabar (1501+)

25. University of Port Harcourt (1501+)

26. Admiralty University of Nigeria

27. Akwa Ibom State University

28. Al-Hikmah University

29. Augustine University

30. Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti

31. Bauchi State University, Gadau

32. Bayelsa Medical University

33. Baze University

34. Bells University of Technology

35. Bowen University

36. Evangel University, Akaeze

37. Federal University of Lafia

38. Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun

39. Fountain University

40. Godfrey Okoye University

41. Igbinedion University Okada

42. Kaduna State University

43. Lagos State University of Education

44. Lagos State University of Science and Technology

45. Lead City University

46. Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria

47. Nasarawa State University, Keffi

48. Redeemer’s University

49. Rivers State University

50. Thomas Adewumi University

51. University of Cross River State

52. University of Delta

According to reports, THE, a globally respected authority in higher education analytics, compiles the World University Rankings based on verified data from universities that meet specific requirements.

To qualify, an institution must teach undergraduates, produce multidisciplinary research, and publish at least 1,000 research papers between 2020 and 2024, with a minimum of 100 publications per year.