By Henry Ojo

The number of Nigerian universities featured in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings has increased from 24 to 29 in the 2027 edition, strengthening Nigeria’s representation in the global university ranking.

The 2027 THE World University Rankings, released on Wednesday, place Covenant University, the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos in Nigeria’s highest global ranking band of 801–1,000.

Nigeria now has the largest number of ranked universities among countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Five Nigerian institutions 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.

Tinubu Makes Promises To Nigerians In National Address

Across sub-Saharan Africa, the number of universities included in the ranking also increased from 55 to 69.

Nigeria’s Top 10 Universities

1. Covenant University

Covenant University occupies the highest position among Nigerian institutions in the 2027 ranking, falling within the 801–1,000 global band.

The private Christian university in Ota, Ogun State, recorded an overall score range of 36.4–40.1.

Its scores included 21.4 for teaching, 32.5 for research environment, 49.8 for research quality, 61.0 for industry and 48.6 for international outlook.

Covenant University was established in 2002 and returned to the top position among Nigerian universities after ranking fourth nationally in the 2026 edition.

2. University of Ibadan

The University of Ibadan (UI) also falls within the 801–1,000 global band and occupies the second position among Nigerian universities listed in the 2027 edition.

UI recorded scores of 31.2 for teaching, 19.9 for research environment, 64.9 for research quality, 22.2 for industry and 44.9 for international outlook.

Established in 1948 as University College Ibadan, the institution became an independent university in 1962 and is widely recognised as Nigeria’s first university.

3. University of Lagos

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) completes Nigeria’s three universities in the 801–1,000 global band.

UNILAG recorded 21.2 for teaching, 20.8 for research environment, 67.8 for research quality, 31.3 for industry and 45.6 for international outlook.

Its 67.8 research quality score was the highest recorded by a Nigerian university in the 2027 ranking.

The university was established in 1962 and is located in Lagos.

4. Ahmadu Bello University

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, is ranked within the 1,001–1,200 global band.

The institution was established on October 4, 1962, as the University of Northern Nigeria and was later named after Sir Ahmadu Bello, the first premier of Northern Nigeria.

5. Bayero University

Bayero University, Kano, is also in the 1,001–1,200 global band.

Its history can be traced to Ahmadu Bello College, established in Kano in 1960. The institution was upgraded to full university status by the Federal Government in 1977.

6. Landmark University

Landmark University is ranked within the 1,001–1,200 band, maintaining the same global band it occupied in the 2026 edition.

The private university, located in Omu-Aran, Kwara State, was established by Living Faith Church Worldwide and officially commissioned in 2011.

7. University of Ilorin

The University of Ilorin is also ranked in the 1,001–1,200 global band.

The federal university, established in 1975, improved from the 1,201–1,500 band in the 2026 THE ranking.

8. Babcock University

Babcock University, located in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, is ranked within the 1,201–1,400 global band.

The institution was established by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It began in 1959 as the Adventist College of West Africa before becoming Babcock University in 1999.

9. Osun State University

Osun State University also falls within the 1,201–1,400 global band.

The multi-campus institution was established by the Osun State Government in December 2006, with its main campus in Osogbo and other campuses in Okuku, Ikire, Ejigbo, Ifetedo and Ipetu-Ijesa.

UNIOSUN is among the five Nigerian universities making their debut in the 2027 THE World University Rankings.

10. University of Nigeria, Nsukka

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), is ranked within the 1,201–1,400 global band.

The university was formally opened on October 7, 1960, and describes itself as Nigeria’s first full-fledged indigenous and autonomous university.

UNN operates campuses in Nsukka, Enugu and Ituku-Ozalla, all in Enugu State.

Five Nigerian Universities Make Debut

The increase in Nigeria’s representation is partly due to the entry of five universities into the 2027 ranking.

They are Osun State University, University of Maiduguri, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Kwara State University and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.

With these additions, Nigeria’s total number of ranked institutions increased from 24 in 2026 to 29 in 2027.

Oxford Retains Global Lead

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

The University of Cape Town was the highest-ranked university in sub-Saharan Africa, placing joint 147th globally, an improvement from joint 164th in the previous edition.

THE ranked 2,297 universities across 118 countries and territories in the 2027 edition, compared with 2,191 institutions in the previous ranking.

How THE Ranks Universities

The 2027 THE World University Rankings assess universities using 17 performance indicators grouped into five broad areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry.

THE also introduced more granular ranking bands in the 2027 edition, allowing a larger number of universities to be differentiated across the global table.