Covenant University, the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos have jointly emerged as Nigeria’s highest-ranked universities in the 2027 Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
The three universities were placed in the 801-1000 band globally in the rankings published by Times Higher Education on Wednesday.
Nigeria recorded 29 ranked universities in the 2027 edition, an increase from 24 institutions in the 2026 rankings.
Five universities, including 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 institutions after being ranked third in the 2026 edition, when the University of Ibadan and University of Lagos jointly occupied the highest position.
The three South-West universities are now jointly placed in the 801-1000 global band, making them the highest-ranked Nigerian institutions in the latest edition.
Ahmadu Bello University and Bayero University followed in the Nigerian rankings, both placed in the 1001-1200 global band.
Landmark University and the University of Ilorin were also placed in the 1001-1200 band.
The Times Higher Education rankings assess research-intensive universities based on five broad areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry.
The 2027 edition covers 2,297 institutions across 118 countries and territories and uses 17 performance indicators across the five areas.
Globally, the University of Oxford retained the top position for an 11th consecutive year, while the University of Cape Town was the highest-ranked university in sub-Saharan Africa, rising to joint 147th position from joint 164th in the previous edition.
THE said the number of ranked universities in sub-Saharan Africa increased from 55 in the previous edition to 69 in 2027, with Nigeria accounting for the highest number of ranked institutions in the region.
The rankings also highlighted individual strengths among Nigerian universities.
The University of Lagos recorded the highest research quality score among Nigerian universities at 67.8, while Bayero University had the highest score for international outlook.
Covenant University recorded the highest industry score among Nigerian institutions, reflecting its performance in the industry pillar.
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+
Kwara State University – 2001+
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike – 2001+
University of Port Harcourt – 2001+
THE also listed 33 Nigerian institutions as ‘reporter’ universities. These institutions submitted data but did not meet the eligibility requirements for a numerical ranking.
According to THE, universities must teach undergraduates, conduct 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 in each year, to qualify for the World University Rankings.