Published: October 3, 2026 | Last updated: October 3, 2026
Key Facts
- Covenant University, the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos are jointly Nigeria's highest-ranked universities, each in the 801–1000 band (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027, September 30, 2026)
- Nigeria has 29 ranked universities, up from 24 in 2026, the most in sub-Saharan Africa, where ranked institutions rose from 55 to 69 (THE, September 30, 2026)
- Covenant returns to the top group after finishing third in 2026, when Ibadan and Lagos led Nigeria (THE, September 30, 2026)
- Five of the seven Nigerian universities in the global top 1,200 are federal, up from three in 2026 (THE, September 30, 2026)
- In the July 2026 Webometrics ranking, Ibadan is Nigeria's best at 1,291st worldwide, and no Nigerian university reaches the global top 1,000 (Webometrics, July 2026)
| Rank | University | Type | State | World Rank (THE 2027) | Overall Score | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| =1 | Covenant University | Private | Ogun | 801–1000 | 36.4–40.1 | THE 2027 |
| =1 | University of Ibadan | Federal | Oyo | 801–1000 | 36.4–40.1 | THE 2027 |
| =1 | University of Lagos | Federal | Lagos | 801–1000 | 36.4–40.1 | THE 2027 |
| =4 | Ahmadu Bello University | Federal | Kaduna | 1001–1200 | 33.3–36.3 | THE 2027 |
| =4 | Bayero University | Federal | Kano | 1001–1200 | 33.3–36.3 | THE 2027 |
| =4 | Landmark University | Private | Kwara | 1001–1200 | 33.3–36.3 | THE 2027 |
| =4 | University of Ilorin | Federal | Kwara | 1001–1200 | 33.3–36.3 | THE 2027 |
| =8 | Babcock University | Private | Ogun | 1201–1400 | 30.5–33.2 | THE 2027 |
| =8 | Osun State University | State | Osun | 1201–1400 | 30.5–33.2 | THE 2027 |
| =8 | University of Nigeria, Nsukka | Federal | Enugu | 1201–1400 | 30.5–33.2 | THE 2027 |
Universities in the same band are tied and cannot be separated on THE's published data. Scores are ranges, not exact figures.
Selected Details About Each University
1. Covenant University
Joint 1st, 801–1000. Covenant is a private Christian university in Ota, Ogun State, which opened on October 21, 2002. It has the highest industry score in Nigeria (61.0) and the strongest research environment score (32.5). Its teaching score (21.4) is its weakest pillar.
2. University of Ibadan
Joint 1st, 801–1000. Founded in 1948 as University College Ibadan, it became an independent university in 1962. Ibadan scores 31.2 for teaching and 64.9 for research quality, but only 22.2 for industry. It is also first in Nigeria on Webometrics, at 1,291st worldwide.
3. University of Lagos
Joint 1st, 801–1000. Lagos has the highest research quality score of the top three (67.8) and an industry score of 31.3. It is second in Nigeria on Webometrics, at 1,355th worldwide.
4. Ahmadu Bello University
Joint 4th, 1001–1200. ABU, a federal university in Zaria, scores 28.0 for teaching and 34.8 for industry, both among Nigeria's higher scores. Its research quality score is 60.3.
5. Bayero University
Joint 4th, 1001–1200. Bayero, in Kano, has the best international outlook score of any Nigerian university (49.0). It also posts a research quality score of 66.5.
6. Landmark University
Joint 4th, 1001–1200. Landmark is a private university in Omu-Aran, Kwara State. Its research quality score is 61.5, and its research environment (18.0) beats several older federal universities. On Webometrics it ranks fifth in Nigeria, at 1,659th worldwide.
7. University of Ilorin
Joint 4th, 1001–1200. Ilorin has the highest research quality score in Nigeria (69.4). Its teaching (21.7) and industry (20.9) scores are modest. Webometrics places it sixth nationally, at 1,883rd.
8. Babcock University
Joint 8th, 1201–1400. Babcock is a private university in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State. Its teaching score of 27.5 is among the higher ones in Nigeria, though its industry score is only 15.9.
9. Osun State University
Joint 8th, 1201–1400. Osun State is one of five new entrants to THE's Nigerian list this year, and it debuts directly in the top 10. Its research environment score of 25.6 is second in Nigeria behind only Covenant.
10. University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Joint 8th, 1201–1400. Nsukka has the highest teaching score in Nigeria (33.3). Its research quality score (42.6) is lower than those of most universities above it. It ranks third in Nigeria on Webometrics, at 1,397th worldwide.
Quick Answers to Commonly Asked Questions About this Topic
What is the best university in Nigeria?
On THE's 2027 ranking, it is a three-way tie between Covenant University, the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos. On Webometrics (July 2026), the University of Ibadan is first.
Why do the rankings disagree?
They measure different things. THE scores teaching, research environment, research quality, industry and international outlook. Webometrics ranks visibility, openness and excellence, which tie closely to a university's digital presence. That is why Nsukka ranks third on Webometrics but joint 8th on THE, and why Covenant is fourth on Webometrics but joint first on THE.
How many Nigerian universities are ranked?
THE ranks 29 Nigerian universities in 2027, up from 24 in 2026. To be ranked, a university must teach undergraduates, research across a range of subjects and have published at least 1,000 papers between 2021 and 2025, with a minimum of 100 a year.
Which universities just miss the top 10?
Six universities tie at joint 11th in the 1401–1600 band: Federal University of Technology Minna, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Benin, University of Jos and University of Maiduguri. Obafemi Awolowo has the second-highest industry score in Nigeria (50.0).
Which Nigerian universities are the best in a particular area?
Covenant leads on industry (61.0), Bayero on international outlook (49.0), Ilorin on research quality (69.4) and Nsukka on teaching (33.3).
Data Sources
- Times Higher Education, "Best universities in Nigeria 2027" (World University Rankings 2027). Pulled September 30, 2026. https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/best-universities/best-universities-nigeria
- Blueprint, "Covenant, UI, UNILAG top Nigerian universities in 2027 global ranking," September 30, 2026. https://blueprint.ng/covenant-ui-unilag-top-nigerian-universities-in-2027-global-ranking/
- TheNigeriaLawyer, "Covenant, UI, UNILAG Lead Nigeria In 2027 World University Rankings." https://thenigerialawyer.com/covenant-ui-unilag-lead-nigeria-in-2027-world-university-rankings-abu-bayero-follow-in-top-five/
- The Elites Nigeria, "FULL LIST: Covenant, UI, UNILAG Named Nigeria's Top Varsities In 2027 Global Ranking" (eligibility rules). https://www.theelitesng.com/full-list-covenant-ui-unilag-named-nigerias-top-varsities-in-2027-global-ranking/
- Linda Ikeji's Blog, "Covenant University tops list of Nigeria's top varsities in 2027 global ranking" (new entrants). https://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2026/9/covenant-university-tops-list-of-nigerias-top-varsities-in-2027-global-ranking.html
- BusinessDay, "UI, UNILAG lead Nigerian universities in latest Webometrics rankings" (July 2026). https://businessday.ng/education/article/ui-unilag-lead-nigerian-universities-in-latest-webometrics-rankings/
- Tribune Online, "UI, UNILAG lead Nigerian varsities in global ranking" (Webometrics). https://tribuneonlineng.com/ui-unilag-lead-nigerian-varsities-in-global-ranking/amp/
- Wikipedia, University of Ibadan and Covenant University. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Ibadan
Methodology
This ranking follows the Nigerian table derived from the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027, published on September 30, 2026. The edition covers 2,297 universities in 118 countries and territories and scores 17 indicators across five pillars: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry. THE publishes bands for universities below the top tier and ties them nationally, so the ranks (=1, =4, =8) group universities that cannot be separated on published data. The three universities at joint first, four at joint fourth and three at joint eighth make exactly ten, and the next band begins at joint 11th. Overall scores are published as ranges, and pillar scores are single figures. Only universities that meet THE's eligibility rules are ranked, so specialised or smaller institutions do not appear.
