The 2027 Times Higher Education World University Rankings have been released, featuring 2,297 universities across 118 countries and territories. The rankings assess universities based on indicators covering teaching, research environment, research quality, industry, and international outlook. Covenant University, the University of Ibadan (UI), and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) have emerged as the top-ranked Nigerian universities, placed in the 801–1,000 bracket globally.
Covenant University, UI, and UNILAG recorded overall scores within the 36.4–40.1 range. Covenant University achieved 21.4 for teaching, 32.5 for research environment, 49.8 for research quality, 61.0 for industry, and 48.6 for international outlook. The University of Ibadan scored 31.2 for teaching, 19.9 for research environment, 64.9 for research quality, 22.2 for industry, and 44.9 for international outlook. UNILAG recorded 21.2 for teaching, 20.8 for research environment, 67.8 for research quality, 31.3 for industry, and 45.6 for international outlook.
Several other Nigerian universities were ranked in various categories. Ahmadu Bello University, Bayero University, Landmark University, and the University of Ilorin were placed in the 1,001–1,200 global bracket. Babcock University, Osun State University, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka were ranked in the 1,201–1,400 bracket. Six Nigerian universities featured in the 1,401–1,600 category, including the Federal University of Technology, Minna, and Obafemi Awolowo University.
The Federal University of Technology, Akure was placed in the 1,601–1,800 bracket. The Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Lagos State University, Olabisi Onabanjo University, and the University of Calabar were ranked in the 1,801–2,000 category. Delta State University, Abraka, Ekiti State University, and the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta were placed in the 2,001+ category.
Globally, the University of Oxford retained the number one position in the 2027 edition, extending its run at the top to an 11th consecutive year. China’s Tsinghua University climbed to 11th position, moving ahead of Switzerland’s ETH Zurich. The National University of Singapore entered the global top 15. The 2027 edition also recorded a notable regional development, with Asia ranking ahead of continental Europe in the overall regional comparison for the first time.
The release of the university ranking comes shortly after the National Examinations Council announced the results of the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) Internal. NECO said 1,378,048 candidates registered for the examination, comprising 682,352 males and 695,696 females. A total of 1,371,992 candidates eventually sat for the examination.
According to NECO Registrar and Chief Executive, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, 1,162,118 candidates, representing 84.70 per cent of those who sat for the examination, obtained at least five credits irrespective of their performance in English Language and Mathematics. When English Language and Mathematics were included among the required five credits, the figure fell to 804,948 candidates, representing 58.67 per cent.
Key points
- Covenant University, University of Ibadan, and University of Lagos are the top three Nigerian universities in the 2027 Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
- The University of Oxford retains the number one position in the 2027 edition of the rankings.
- 1,162,118 candidates obtained at least five credits in the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) Internal.
