Covenant University, UI, UNILAG Lead 29 Nigerian Universities in 2027 Global Rankings

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 universities were placed in the 801–1,000 global band in the latest edition released by Times Higher Education on Wednesday.

Nigeria recorded 29 ranked universities in the 2027 edition, an increase from 24 institutions in the 2026 rankings. It also had the highest number of ranked universities in sub-Saharan Africa, which recorded 69 institutions from 16 countries.

The 2027 ranking marks a return to the top tier for Covenant University, which was placed in the 1,001–1,200 band in the 2026 edition. The University of Ibadan and University of Lagos remained in the 801–1,000 band, meaning all three now share the highest Nigerian position in the latest ranking.

They are followed by Ahmadu Bello University and Bayero University, both of which were placed in the 1,001–1,200 global band.

Five Nigerian universities made their debut in the 2027 rankings: Osun State University, University of Maiduguri, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Kwara State University and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.

Times Higher Education assessed 2,297 universities across 118 countries and territories for the 2027 edition, compared with 2,191 institutions in the previous ranking. The ranking uses 17 performance indicators across five broad areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry.

Among Nigerian institutions, UNILAG recorded the highest research quality score at 67.8, while Bayero University had the strongest international outlook score and Covenant University recorded the highest industry score among Nigerian universities, according to the ranking data.

Globally, the University of Oxford retained the number one position for the 11th consecutive year.

In sub-Saharan Africa, the University of Cape Town was the highest-ranked institution, moving up to joint 147th globally from joint 164th in the previous edition.

The 29 ranked Nigerian universities are:

1. Covenant University — 801–1,000
2. University of Ibadan — 801–1,000
3. University of Lagos — 801–1,000
4. Ahmadu Bello University — 1,001–1,200
5. Bayero University — 1,001–1,200
6. Landmark University — 1,001–1,200
7. University of Ilorin — 1,001–1,200
8. Babcock University — 1,201–1,400
9. Osun State University — 1,201–1,400
10. University of Nigeria, Nsukka — 1,201–1,400
11. Federal University of Technology, Minna — 1,401–1,600
12. Nnamdi Azikiwe University — 1,401–1,600
13. Obafemi Awolowo University — 1,401–1,600
14. University of Benin — 1,401–1,600
15. University of Jos — 1,401–1,600
16. University of Maiduguri — 1,401–1,600
17. Federal University of Technology, Akure — 1,601–1,800
18. Federal University of Technology, Owerri — 1,801–2,000
19. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology — 1,801–2,000
20. Lagos State University — 1,801–2,000
21. Olabisi Onabanjo University — 1,801–2,000
22. University of Calabar — 1,801–2,000
23. Delta State University, Abraka — 2,001+
24. Ekiti State University — 2,001+
25. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta — 2,001+
26. Federal University Oye-Ekiti — 2,001+
27. Kwara State University — 2,001+
28. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike — 2,001+
29. University of Port Harcourt — 2,001+

THE also listed 33 Nigerian institutions as reporter institutions. These universities submitted data but did not meet the eligibility requirements for a ranked position in the 2027 World University Rankings.

The increase from 24 to 29 ranked Nigerian universities represents a broader Nigerian presence in the latest global assessment, although the majority remain outside the global top 1,000.