Twenty-nine Nigerian universities have been included in the 2027 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, with Covenant University, the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos emerging in the highest global ranking band for Nigerian institutions.
The latest ranking represents an increase from 24 Nigerian universities featured in the 2026 edition, further expanding Nigeria’s representation in the global university rankings.
Covenant University, the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos were all placed within the 801 to 1,000 global ranking band. THE’s current 2027 Nigeria table lists the three institutions as joint first among Nigerian universities rather than assigning separate positions within that band...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Covenant University’s return to the 801 to 1,000 band marks a notable change from the previous edition, when the institution was placed in the 1,001 to 1,200 band. UI and UNILAG, meanwhile, retained their positions in the 801 to 1,000 band.
The next group of Nigerian universities comprises Ahmadu Bello University, Bayero University, Landmark University and the University of Ilorin, all of which were placed within the 1,001 to 1,200 global band.
Babcock University, Osun State University and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka followed in the 1,201 to 1,400 band.
Six institutions were placed within the 1,401 to 1,600 band. They are the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Obafemi Awolowo University, the University of Benin, the University of Jos and the University of Maiduguri.
The Federal University of Technology, Akure was placed in the 1,601 to 1,800 band.
Five universities were ranked within the 1,801 to 2,000 band. They are the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Lagos State University, Olabisi Onabanjo University and the University of Calabar.
The remaining seven Nigerian universities were placed in the 2,001 and above category. They are Delta State University, Abraka, Ekiti State University, the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Kwara State University, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike and the University of Port Harcourt.
Five Nigerian universities made their debut in the 2027 ranking. They are Osun State University, the University of Maiduguri, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Kwara State University and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
Globally, the 2027 ranking assessed 2,297 universities across 118 countries and territories, compared with 2,191 universities from 115 countries and territories in the previous edition. Nigeria also had the largest number of ranked universities among countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with 29 institutions represented.
The rankings assess universities using 17 performance indicators grouped into five broad areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry.
The research quality category carries the largest weighting, while other factors include teaching reputation, research productivity, citations, international collaboration, industry income and patents.
For Nigerian students and prospective postgraduate applicants, the latest ranking provides an updated picture of how the country’s universities are positioned internationally, while also showing the growing number of Nigerian institutions being included in major global university assessments.
