The University of Ibadan has reclaimed its position as Nigeria’s top-ranked university in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, placing in the 801-1000 global band after ranking fourth nationally in 2025, while only two Nigerian institutions—UI and the University of Lagos—made the global top 1000 out of 51 universities assessed.
Nigerian Universities in THE World University Rankings 2026:
801-1000 band: University of Ibadan (1st in Nigeria), University of Lagos (2nd in Nigeria)
1001-1200 band: Bayero University Kano, Covenant University, Landmark University
1201-1500 band: Ahmadu Bello University, Federal University of Technology Minna, University of Ilorin, University of Jos, University of Nigeria Nsukka
1501+ band: 14 institutions
Submitted but not ranked: 27 universities
Total Nigerian universities featured: 51