The 2027 Times Higher Education World University Rankings have named Covenant University, the University of Ibadan, and the University of Lagos as Nigeria's highest-ranked universities. They are jointly placed in the 801-1000 band globally. This ranking assesses research-intensive universities across five broad areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook, and industry. The rankings cover 2,297 institutions across 118 countries and territories.
Nigeria has recorded 29 ranked universities in the 2027 edition, up from 24 in the 2026 rankings. Five universities, including Osun State University, the 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 being dethroned to third last year by UI and UNILAG.
The University of Oxford retained the number one position globally 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. Nigeria has the most universities ranked in sub-Saharan Africa, with 29 in total. The number of ranked institutions in sub-Saharan Africa increased from 55 last year to 69 this year.
According to THE, the rankings use 17 performance indicators across the five pillars. UNILAG is ranked highest in quality research, scoring 67.8. Bayero University 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. The rankings also list 33 Nigerian institutions as "reporter" institutions that submitted data but did not meet the eligibility criteria.
The ranking provides a comprehensive overview of the performance of Nigerian universities globally. Ahmadu Bello University and Bayero University are ranked fourth and fifth, respectively. Other top-ranked universities in Nigeria include Landmark University, University of Ilorin, and Babcock University. The full list of ranked Nigerian universities is available on THE's website.
THE is a globally recognized independent organization that provides data and analysis for the higher education sector. To be ranked, institutions must teach undergraduates, produce research across a range of subjects, and have published at least 1,000 research publications between 2021 and 2025, with a minimum of 100 a year. The organization provides widely adopted World University Rankings.
The 2027 rankings demonstrate the strength of individual institutions in Nigeria. Newly ranked universities, such as Osun State University and Kwara State University, have made a significant impact. The rankings also highlight areas for improvement, particularly in research quality and international outlook. As the Nigerian education sector continues to evolve, the rankings provide valuable insights for stakeholders.
Key points
- Covenant University, University of Ibadan, and University of Lagos are Nigeria's top-ranked universities in 2027.
- Nigeria has 29 ranked universities, the most in sub-Saharan Africa.
- THE rankings assess universities across five broad areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook, and industry.
