Covenant University, the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos have 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 ranking band, according to the latest rankings published by Times Higher Education on Wednesday.
Nigeria recorded 29 ranked universities in the 2027 edition, an increase from 24 institutions in the 2026 rankings.
Five universities were newly ranked, including Osun State University, the University of Maiduguri, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Kwara State University and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
Covenant University returned to the top position among Nigerian institutions after ranking third in the 2026 edition, when the University of Ibadan and University of Lagos jointly occupied the highest Nigerian position.
Ahmadu Bello University and Bayero University followed the three leading institutions, ranking fourth and fifth respectively among Nigerian universities.
The Times Higher Education rankings assess research-intensive universities using 17 performance indicators across five broad areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry.
According to THE, the 2027 rankings cover 2,297 institutions across 118 countries and territories.
Globally, the University of Oxford retained the number one position 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.
THE said the number of ranked universities in sub-Saharan Africa increased from 55 in 2026 to 69 in 2027, with Nigeria recording the highest number of ranked institutions at 29.
The ranking also highlighted different areas of institutional performance. The University of Lagos recorded Nigeria’s highest quality research score at 67.8, while Bayero University was ranked highest among Nigerian institutions for international outlook. Covenant University recorded the highest industry score in Nigeria.
Full list of ranked Nigerian universities
1. Covenant University — 801–1000
2. University of Ibadan — 801–1000
3. University of Lagos — 801–1000
4. Ahmadu Bello University — 1001–1200
5. Bayero University — 1001–1200
6. Landmark University — 1001–1200
7. University of Ilorin — 1001–1200
8. Babcock University — 1201–1400
9. Osun State University — 1201–1400
10. University of Nigeria, Nsukka — 1201–1400
11. Federal University of Technology, Minna — 1401–1600
12. Nnamdi Azikiwe University — 1401–1600
13. Obafemi Awolowo University — 1401–1600
14. University of Benin — 1401–1600
15. University of Jos — 1401–1600
16. University of Maiduguri — 1401–1600
17. Federal University of Technology, Akure — 1601–1800
18. Federal University of Technology, Owerri — 1801–2000
19. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology — 1801–2000
20. Lagos State University — 1801–2000
21. Olabisi Onabanjo University — 1801–2000
22. University of Calabar — 1801–2000
23. Delta State University, Abraka — 2001+
24. Ekiti State University — 2001+
25. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta — 2001+
26. Federal University Oye-Ekiti — 2001+
27. Kwara State University — 2001+
28. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike — 2001+
29. University of Port Harcourt — 2001+
PUNCH Online reported the rankings, noting that institutions must meet THE’s eligibility requirements to receive a ranking. These include teaching undergraduates, producing research across a range of subjects and publishing at least 1,000 research publications between 2021 and 2025, with a minimum of 100 publications annually.
