University of Ibadan (UI), Covenant University, and the University of Lagos (UNILAG), have emerged as Nigeria’s highest-ranked universities in the 2027 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.
The three universities were jointly placed in the 801-1000 band globally in the rankings published on THE’s website on Wednesday.
Nigeria recorded 29 ranked universities in the 2027 edition, representing an increase from the 24 institutions ranked in the 2026 edition.
Five institutions – Osun State University, University of Maiduguri, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Kwara State University and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike – were newly ranked.
Covenant University returned to the top position among Nigerian universities after it was ranked third in the 2026 edition, when UI and UNILAG jointly occupied the highest Nigerian position.
The latest ranking now places the three South-West universities in the same 801-1000 global band.
They are followed by Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) and Bayero University (BUK), which occupy the fourth and fifth positions among Nigerian institutions, respectively, with both placed in the 1001-1200 global band.
The THE rankings assess research-intensive universities based on five broad areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry.
According to THE, the 2027 rankings cover 2,297 institutions across 118 countries and territories, using 17 performance indicators across the five pillars.
Globally, the University of Oxford retained the number one position for an 11th consecutive year.
In sub-Saharan Africa, the University of Cape Town was the highest-ranked institution, rising to joint 147th position from joint 164th in the previous edition.
‘The number of ranked institutions in sub-Saharan increased from 55 last year to 69 this year. Nigeria has the most universities ranked, with 29 in total,’ THE said.
The rankings also highlighted individual strengths among Nigerian universities.
UNILAG recorded the highest score for research quality among Nigerian institutions, with 67.8, while BUK ranked highest in international outlook.
Covenant University recorded the highest industry score among Nigerian universities, reflecting its performance in the industry pillar of the ranking.
Full list of ranked Nigerian universities
Covenant University – 801-1000
University of Ibadan – 801-1000
University of Lagos – 801-1000
Ahmadu Bello University – 1001-1200
Bayero University – 1001-1200
Landmark University – 1001-1200
University of Ilorin – 1001-1200
Babcock University – 1201-1400
Osun State University – 1201-1400
University of Nigeria, Nsukka – 1201-1400
Federal University of Technology, Minna – 1401-1600
Nnamdi Azikiwe University – 1401-1600
Obafemi Awolowo University – 1401-1600
University of Benin – 1401-1600
University of Jos – 1401-1600
University of Maiduguri – 1401-1600
Federal University of Technology, Akure – 1601-1800
Federal University of Technology, Owerri – 1801-2000
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology – 1801-2000
Lagos State University – 1801-2000
Olabisi Onabanjo University – 1801-2000
University of Calabar – 1801-2000
Delta State University, Abraka – 2001+
Ekiti State University – 2001+
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta – 2001+
Federal University Oye-Ekiti – 2001+
Kwara State University – 2001+
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike – 2001+
University of Port Harcourt – 2001+
33 Nigerian institutions listed as reporter institutions
THE also listed 33 Nigerian institutions as ‘reporter’ institutions.
According to the ranking body, reporter institutions submitted data but did not meet the eligibility criteria required to receive a ranking.
The institutions include Abia State University; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University; Adamawa State University; Ajayi Crowther University; Akwa Ibom State University; Aletheia University, Ago-Iwoye; Al-Hikmah University; Ambrose Alli University; Augustine University; Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti; Bayelsa Medical University; Baze University; Bells University of Technology; Bingham University; Bowen University; Evangel University, Akaeze; Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun; Federal University Otuoke; Fountain University; Godfrey Okoye University; Igbinedion University Okada; Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University; Lagos State University of Education; Lagos State University of Science and Technology; and Maryam Abacha American University, amongst others.