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 institutions were placed in the 801–1000 global band, putting them at the top of Nigeria’s 2027 rankings. They are followed by Ahmadu Bello University and Bayero University, which were both placed in the 1001–1200 band.
Nigeria’s representation also expanded significantly, with 29 universities ranked this year, compared with 24 in the 2026 edition. Five institutions — Osun State University, the University of Maiduguri, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Kwara State University and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike — entered the global rankings for the first time.
Covenant University returns to the leading group after finishing behind UI and UNILAG in the previous edition. The latest results, however, place all three institutions within the same global ranking band rather than assigning them separate numerical positions.
The 2027 Times Higher Education ranking covers 2,297 universities across 118 countries and territories, making it the organisation’s most extensive edition to date. Institutions are assessed across five broad areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry, using 17 performance indicators.
Among Nigerian institutions, the ranking also highlights different areas of strength. The University of Lagos recorded the country’s highest research-quality score, while Bayero University led on international outlook. Covenant University posted Nigeria’s strongest industry score.
At the global level, the University of Oxford retained the number-one position for an 11th consecutive year. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranked second, while Princeton and Stanford shared third place.
In sub-Saharan Africa, the University of Cape Town remained the region’s highest-ranked institution, rising to joint 147th globally from joint 164th in the previous edition. The number of ranked universities in the region also increased from 55 to 69.
FULL LIST OF NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES IN THE 2027 RANKING
- 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 UNIVERSITIES LISTED AS REPORTERS
THE also identified 33 Nigerian institutions as reporter universities. These institutions submitted data for consideration but did not meet the eligibility requirements needed to receive a position in the global ranking.
Among them are Abia State University, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Adamawa State University, Ajayi Crowther University, Akwa Ibom State University, Aletheia University, Al-Hikmah University, Ambrose Alli University, Augustine University, Baze University, Bingham University, Bowen University, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Federal University Otuoke, Fountain University, Godfrey Okoye University, Igbinedion University, Nile University of Nigeria, Rivers State University and the University of Cross River State.
For a university to receive a position in the 2027 World University Rankings, THE requires institutions to meet specific eligibility conditions, including offering undergraduate programmes, conducting research across a range of disciplines and meeting minimum research-publication thresholds.
The latest results place Nigeria among the countries with the largest representation in sub-Saharan Africa, with 29 universities making the 2027 global ranking.
