University of Ibadan Claims Top Spot Among Nigerian Universities in 2026 Global Rankings

The University of Ibadan in Oyo State has taken the lead as Nigeria’s finest higher education institution in the latest worldwide university assessments for 2026. This marks a strong comeback for the historic campus, which now sits proudly in the 801 to 1,000 global bracket—a spot it last enjoyed in 2023.

The fresh evaluation, unveiled on Thursday, looked at 2,191 universities across 115 nations. Experts judged them using 18 clear measures spread over five main categories: the quality of classroom learning, the setup for studies, the strength of research outputs, ties with businesses, and a global perspective. To build the list, they sifted through more than 174.9 million references from 18.7 million academic papers, plus opinions from over 108,000 researchers around the world.

This year’s results show a clear shift in Nigeria’s academic scene. The University of Ibadan climbed from fourth place last time to the number one position, pushing aside Covenant University, which had held the crown for the past two years. Only a handful of Nigerian schools made it into the top global tiers: the University of Lagos also landed in the 801 to 1,000 range, while Bayero University, Covenant University, and Landmark University squeezed into 1,001 to 1,200. A further five—Ahmadu Bello University, Federal University of Technology in Minna, University of Ilorin, University of Jos, and University of Nigeria—fell into the 1,201 to 1,500 group. Fourteen others sit above 1,501, and 27 did not receive a ranking.

The University of Lagos shone brightest among Nigerian entries for the impact of its research, earning a score of 66.7. Bayero University led in drawing talent and ideas from abroad, and Covenant University stood out for its close links with industry partners.

To qualify for the list, schools must offer degree courses to beginners, carry out studies in various fields, and have released at least 1,000 papers from 2020 to 2024, with no fewer than 100 each year. The group behind the rankings is a trusted independent body that gathers facts and insights to guide the world of higher learning.

Here is the complete rundown of the 51 Nigerian universities that earned a place, showing their national order and worldwide grouping where available:

| National Rank | University Name | Global Band |
|—————|—————–|————-|
| 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 Jos | 1201–1500 |
| 10 | University of Nigeria, Nsukka | 1201–1500 |
| 11 | Babcock University | 1501+ |
| 12 | Delta State University, Abraka | 1501+ |
| 13 | Ekiti State University | 1501+ |
| 14 | Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta | 1501+ |
| 15 | Federal University of Technology, Akure | 1501+ |
| 16 | Federal University of Technology, Owerri | 1501+ |
| 17 | Federal University Oye-Ekiti | 1501+ |
| 18 | Ladoke Akintola University of Technology | 1501+ |
| 19 | Lagos State University | 1501+ |
| 20 | Nnamdi Azikiwe University | 1501+ |
| 21 | Obafemi Awolowo University | 1501+ |
| 22 | University of Benin | 1501+ |
| 23 | University of Calabar | 1501+ |
| 24 | University of Port Harcourt | 1501+ |
| 25 | Admiralty University of Nigeria | Not specified |
| 26 | Akwa Ibom State University | Not specified |
| 27 | Al-Hikmah University | Not specified |
| 28 | Augustine University | Not specified |
| 29 | Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti | Not specified |
| 30 | Bauchi State University, Gadau | Not specified |
| 31 | Bayelsa Medical University | Not specified |
| 32 | Baze University | Not specified |
| 33 | Bells University of Technology | Not specified |
| 34 | Bowen University | Not specified |
| 35 | Evangel University, Akaeze | Not specified |
| 36 | Federal University of Lafia | Not specified |
| 37 | Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun | Not specified |
| 38 | Fountain University | Not specified |
| 39 | Godfrey Okoye University | Not specified |
| 40 | Igbinedion University Okada | Not specified |
| 41 | Kaduna State University | Not specified |
| 42 | Lagos State University of Education | Not specified |
| 43 | Lagos State University of Science and Technology | Not specified |
| 44 | Lead City University | Not specified |
| 45 | Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria | Not specified |
| 46 | Nasarawa State University, Keffi | Not specified |
| 47 | Redeemer’s University | Not specified |
| 48 | Rivers State University | Not specified |
| 49 | Thomas Adewumi University | Not specified |
| 50 | University of Cross River State | Not specified |
| 51 | University of Delta | Not specified