The University of Ibadan (UI) has reclaimed its enviable position as the best university in Nigeria, according to the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026.
The ranking, published on THE’s website on Thursday, October 9, 2025, placed Nigeria’s premier university in the 801–1,000 band globally, ahead of other leading institutions across the country.
UI’s return to the top marks a significant comeback after losing its number one spot to Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, in 2020. Covenant University, a private institution owned by Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, is ranked fourth in Nigeria in the 2026 edition.
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Bayero University, Kano, emerged as the second and third best universities in Nigeria, respectively.
UI and UNILAG are both placed in the 801–1,000 global category, while Bayero, Covenant, and Landmark University (also owned by Bishop Oyedepo) are ranked between 1,001–1,200 globally.
Other Nigerian universities in the 1,201–1,500 category include Ahmadu Bello University, Federal University of Technology, Minna, University of Ilorin, University of Jos, and University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Meanwhile, several other Nigerian universities: Babcock University, Delta State University, Ekiti State University, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Lagos State University, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Benin, University of Calabar, and University of Port Harcourt—fell within the 1,501+ band.
Globally, the University of Oxford retained its position as the world’s best university, followed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Princeton University, University of Cambridge, and Harvard University. Others in the global top ten include Stanford University, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Imperial College London, University of California, Berkeley, and Yale University.
No African university made the global top 300 list, with the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, being the continent’s highest-ranked institution, placed within the 351–400 band.
