Covenant, UI, UNILAG Jointly Top Nigeria’s 2027 University Rankings

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

The three institutions were placed in the 801–1000 global band, according to the rankings published by Times Higher Education on Wednesday.

Nigeria recorded 29 ranked universities in the 2027 edition, up from 24 in the previous rankings.

Five institutions — Osun State University, the University of Maiduguri, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Kwara State University and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike — were newly ranked.

Covenant University returned to the top position among Nigerian universities after it ranked third in the 2026 edition, when the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos shared the top spot.

Ahmadu Bello University and Bayero University followed the three leading institutions, ranking fourth and fifth among Nigerian universities respectively, with both placed in the 1001–1200 global band.

THE assesses universities across five broad areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry. The 2027 edition covers 2,297 institutions across 118 countries and territories and uses 17 performance indicators.

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

Globally, the University of Oxford retained the number one position for an 11th consecutive year, while the University of Cape Town was the highest-ranked university in sub-Saharan Africa, rising to joint 147th.

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

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+