The University of Ibadan, Oyo State, has been named Nigeria’s best university in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for 2026.
According to the ranking published on Thursday, the institution was placed between 801 and 1,000 globally, reclaiming the top spot it last held in 2023.
The Times Higher Education survey assessed 2,191 universities from 115 countries based on 18 performance indicators across five categories — teaching, research environment, research quality, industry, and international outlook.
The University of Ibadan rose from fourth position in 2025 to lead the 2026 ranking, dethroning Covenant University, which had occupied the top position for two consecutive years (2024 and 2025).
Following UI are the University of Lagos, Bayero University, and Covenant University, which ranked second, third, and fourth respectively in Nigeria.
The 2026 ranking analysed over 174.9 million citations from 18.7 million research publications and survey responses from over 108,000 scholars globally.
In specific performance categories, the University of Lagos recorded the highest score in research quality with 66.7 points, while Bayero University led in international outlook. Covenant University ranked highest in industry engagement, reflecting its strong connection with industries.
Out of the 51 Nigerian universities featured in the ranking, UI and UNILAG were placed between 801 and 1,000 globally; Bayero University, Covenant University, and Landmark University ranked between 1001 and 1200; while Ahmadu Bello University, Federal University of Technology Minna, University of Ilorin, University of Jos, and University of Nigeria, Nsukka were placed between 1201 and 1500.
Fourteen other Nigerian universities were ranked above 1501 globally, while 27 were not ranked.
The full Nigerian list includes:
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)
The Times Higher Education organisation is a globally recognised independent body providing data and analysis for the higher education sector.
To qualify for inclusion in the 2026 World University Rankings, universities must teach undergraduates, produce research across multiple disciplines, and have published at least 1,000 research papers between 2020 and 2024, with a minimum of 100 annually.