FULL LIST: Covenant University tops list in 2027 Nigerian varsity global ranking

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 in the 801–1000 global ranking band in the latest edition released by THE on Wednesday.

Nigeria recorded 29 universities in the 2027 ranking, representing an increase from the 24 institutions ranked in the previous edition. Five universities — Osun State University, University of Maiduguri, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Kwara State University and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike — were newly ranked.

Covenant University’s return to the top tier among Nigerian universities marks a change from the 2026 edition, when UI and UNILAG shared the highest position nationally.

The three South-West institutions now occupy the same 801–1000 global band, while Ahmadu Bello University and Bayero University follow in the 1001–1200 category.

THE evaluates universities using five broad areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry. The 2027 edition uses 17 performance indicators to assess institutions.

Globally, the ranking covers 2,297 universities across 118 countries and territories. The University of Oxford retained the global number one position for the 11th consecutive year, while the University of Cape Town was the highest-ranked university in sub-Saharan Africa at joint 147th.

THE said the number of ranked institutions in sub-Saharan Africa increased from 55 in the previous edition to 69 in 2027, with Nigeria recording the highest number of ranked universities in the region at 29.

Among the Nigerian institutions, UNILAG recorded the highest research quality score at 67.8, while Bayero University led in international outlook. Covenant University recorded the highest industry score among Nigerian universities.

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+

THE also listed 33 Nigerian institutions as “reporter” universities. These institutions submitted data but did not meet the eligibility requirements for a ranking.

For an institution to be ranked, THE said it must teach undergraduates, conduct research across a range of subjects and have produced at least 1,000 research publications between 2021 and 2025, with a minimum of 100 publications in each year.