By Charles Maduka
The University of Ibadan has been ranked as Nigeria’s best university in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026. The institution, located in Oyo State, moved from fourth position last year to reclaim the top spot it last held in 2023.
According to the ranking released on Thursday, UI is placed between 801 and 1000 globally, ahead of other Nigerian universities. It dethroned Covenant University, which had led the ranking in 2024 and 2025. The University of Lagos and Bayero University, Kano, followed in second and third positions respectively, while Covenant University ranked fourth.
The Times Higher Education survey evaluated 2,191 institutions from 115 countries using 18 performance indicators across five areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry connection, and international outlook. UNILAG recorded the highest score in research quality with 66.7 points, while BUK topped in international outlook and Covenant led in industry engagement.
Among 51 Nigerian universities featured, only UI and UNILAG fall within the 801–1000 global range, while others like BUK, CU, and Landmark University ranked between 1001–1200. Ahmadu Bello University, University of Ilorin, and University of Nigeria, Nsukka were among those placed between 1201–1500.
The ranking reflects the growing competitiveness of Nigerian universities globally and their increasing contribution to research and education development.
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