Covenant, UI, UNILAG Lead Nigeria In 2027 Global University Rankings

Covenant University, the University of Ibadan (UI) and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) have jointly emerged as Nigeria’s highest-ranked universities in the 2027 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.

The three institutions were placed within the 801–1000 global ranking band in the latest edition released by THE on Wednesday.

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) and Bayero University, Kano (BUK), followed as the fourth and fifth highest-ranked Nigerian institutions, respectively, both occupying the 1001–1200 global band.

Nigeria recorded a significant increase in the number of institutions included in the latest ranking, with 29 universities ranked in 2027 compared with 24 in the previous edition.

Five institutions made their debut in the rankings. They are Osun State University, University of Maiduguri, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Kwara State University and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.

Covenant University regained its position as Nigeria’s leading university after dropping to third place in the 2026 edition, when UI and UNILAG jointly occupied the top spot.

In the latest ranking, however, Covenant, UI and UNILAG were grouped together in the 801–1000 category, making them the country’s highest-ranked universities.

The rankings placed ABU and BUK next, with both institutions falling within the 1001–1200 band.

THE evaluates research-intensive universities using five broad performance areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry.

For the 2027 edition, the ranking assessed 2,297 universities across 118 countries and territories using 17 performance indicators spread across the five areas.

At the global level, the University of Oxford retained the number one position for the 11th consecutive year.

In sub-Saharan Africa, the University of Cape Town remained the region’s highest-ranked university, moving up to joint 147th position from joint 164th in the previous edition.

“The number of ranked institutions in sub-Saharan increased from 55 last year to 69 this year. Nigeria has the most universities ranked, with 29 in total,” THE said.

The latest ranking also highlighted the varying strengths of Nigerian institutions across individual performance indicators.

UNILAG recorded the highest research quality score among Nigerian universities, with 67.8.

BUK emerged as the highest-ranked Nigerian institution for international outlook, while Covenant University recorded the country’s highest industry score, reflecting its performance in the industry-related component of the ranking.

Full List Of Ranked Nigerian Universities

1. Covenant University — 801–1000
2. University of Ibadan — 801–1000
3. University of Lagos — 801–1000
4. Ahmadu Bello University — 1001–1200
5. Bayero University — 1001–1200
6. Landmark University — 1001–1200
7. University of Ilorin — 1001–1200
8. Babcock University — 1201–1400
9. Osun State University — 1201–1400
10. University of Nigeria, Nsukka — 1201–1400
11. Federal University of Technology, Minna — 1401–1600
12. Nnamdi Azikiwe University — 1401–1600
13. Obafemi Awolowo University — 1401–1600
14. University of Benin — 1401–1600
15. University of Jos — 1401–1600
16. University of Maiduguri — 1401–1600
17. Federal University of Technology, Akure — 1601–1800
18. Federal University of Technology, Owerri — 1801–2000
19. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology — 1801–2000
20. Lagos State University — 1801–2000
21. Olabisi Onabanjo University — 1801–2000
22. University of Calabar — 1801–2000
23. Delta State University, Abraka — 2001+
24. Ekiti State University — 2001+
25. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta — 2001+
26. Federal University Oye-Ekiti — 2001+
27. Kwara State University — 2001+
28. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike — 2001+
29. University of Port Harcourt — 2001+

33 Nigerian Universities Listed As Reporters

Beyond the 29 ranked institutions, THE listed 33 other Nigerian universities as “reporter” institutions.

According to the ranking body, these universities submitted data for consideration but did not satisfy the eligibility requirements necessary to receive a ranking.

They are:

• Abia State University
• Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University
• Adamawa State University
• Ajayi Crowther University
• Akwa Ibom State University
• Aletheia University, Ago-Iwoye
• Al-Hikmah University
• Ambrose Alli University
• Augustine University
• Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti
• Bayelsa Medical University
• Baze University
• Bells University of Technology
• Bingham University
• Bowen University
• Evangel University, Akaeze
• Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun
• Federal University Otuoke
• Fountain University
• Godfrey Okoye University
• Igbinedion University Okada
• Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University
• Lagos State University of Education
• Lagos State University of Science and Technology
• Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria
• Michael and Cecilia Ibru University
• Miva Open University
• Nasarawa State University, Keffi
• Nile University of Nigeria
• Plateau State University, Bokkos
• Rivers State University
• University of Cross River State
• University of Delta

THE is an independent organisation that provides data, analysis and rankings for the higher education sector globally, including its World University Rankings.

Although universities can submit data for consideration, institutions must meet specific eligibility requirements to receive a position in the 2027 World University Rankings.

These include offering undergraduate programmes, conducting research across a range of subject areas and producing at least 1,000 research publications between 2021 and 2025, with a minimum annual output of 100 publications.