UI Emerges Nigeria’s Best University For 2026 [FULL LIST]

University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State, has been ranked Nigeria’s best university in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026.

The ranking, published on THE’s website on Thursday, placed the Ibadan-based federal university between 801 and 1,000 globally and ahead of other leading Nigerian universities, a spot it last held in 2023.

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THE surveyed 2,191 institutions from 115 countries and assessed them based on 18 performance indicators across five key areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry, and international outlook.

UI came from fourth position in 2025 to emerge as Nigeria’s best in the 2026 ranking. It dethroned Covenant University, which was the best university in 2024 and 2025.

Following UI are the University of Lagos, Bayero University, and CU, ranked second, third, and fourth in Nigeria, respectively.

BUK is ranked as the best Nigerian university in terms of international outlook, while Covenant has the highest industry score, indicating its top connection to industries.

Out of 51 Nigerian institutions featured in THE 2026 ranking, only UI and UNILAG fall between 801–1000; BUK, CU, and Landmark University fall between 1001–1200; while five schools—Ahmadu Bello University, Federal University of Technology, Minna, University of Ilorin, University of Jos, University of Nigeria—stand globally between 1201–1500.

The 2026 list reflected a shift in the global higher education landscape, with more than 174.9 million citations from 18.7 million research publications analysed and survey responses from over 108,000 scholars collected globally.

THE rankings also show the strength of individual institutions. UNILAG is ranked highest in quality research, scoring 66.7.

Also, 14 Nigerian universities were categorised above 1501, and 27 institutions were 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 Ilorin (1201–1500)
10. University of Jos (1201–1500)
11. University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1201–1500)
12. Babcock University (1501+)
13. Delta State University, Abraka (1501+)
14. Ekiti State University (1501+)
15. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (1501+)
16. Federal University of Technology, Akure (1501+)
17. Federal University of Technology, Owerri (1501+)
18. Federal University Oye-Ekiti (1501+)
19. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (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