Nigeria boasts most ranked varsities in sub-Saharan Africa

Nigeria has the most ranked universities in the 2027 Times Higher Education World University Rankings in the sub-Saharan Africa region.

This is contrary to widespread belief that tertiary education is taking a backseat in the nation.

The latest ranking by The Times Higher Education featured 2,297 institutions in 118 countries and territories.

In the 2027 edition, Nigeria produced 29 ranked universities from 24 in the 2026 rankings more than any other country in sub-Saharan Africa.

Five Nigerian universities, namely Osun State University, the University of Maiduguri, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Kwara State University and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, made the latest rank.

The rankings assess research-intensive universities across five broad areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry.

The number of ranked varsities in sub-Saharan moved from 55 in 2026 to 69. According to THE, Nigeria has the most of the ranked with 29 varsities making the mark.

“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 confirmed.

The University of Oxford is still the number one in the world for an 11th consecutive year with the University of Cape Town the highest-ranked institution, moving to joint 147th position from joint 164th in the previous edition in sub-Saharan.

Covenant University, the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos are Nigeria’s highest-ranked universities in the 2027 Rankings.

The three were placed between 801 and 1000 globally in the best university rankings published on THE’s website on Wednesday.

Covenant University returned to the top position among Nigerian universities after it was dethroned to third last year by UI and UNILAG, which shared the top position in the 2026 edition.

The three South-West-based institutions are now jointly placed in the 801–1000 band globally, making them Nigeria’s highest-ranked universities in the 2027 edition.

Following them are two Northwest Nigerian universities: Ahmadu Bello University and Bayero University, ranking fourth and fifth, respectively.

THE rankings also show the strength of individual institutions. UNILAG is ranked highest in quality research, scoring 67.8.

BUK is ranked as the best Nigerian university in terms of international outlook, while Covenant has the highest industry score, indicating its top connection to industries.

Full list of ranked Nigerian universities

Covenant University — 801–1000

University of Ibadan — 801–1000

University of Lagos — 801–1000

Ahmadu Bello University — 1001–1200

Bayero University — 1001–1200

Landmark University — 1001–1200

University of Ilorin — 1001–1200

Babcock University — 1201–1400

Osun State University — 1201–1400

University of Nigeria, Nsukka — 1201–1400

Federal University of Technology, Minna — 1401–1600

Nnamdi Azikiwe University — 1401–1600

Obafemi Awolowo University — 1401–1600

University of Benin — 1401–1600

University of Jos — 1401–1600

University of Maiduguri — 1401–1600

Federal University of Technology, Akure — 1601–1800

Federal University of Technology, Owerri — 1801–2000

Ladoke Akintola University of Technology — 1801–2000

Lagos State University — 1801–2000

Olabisi Onabanjo University — 1801–2000

University of Calabar — 1801–2000

Delta State University, Abraka — 2001+

Ekiti State University — 2001+

Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta — 2001+

Federal University Oye-Ekiti — 2001+

Kwara State University — 2001+

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike — 2001+

University of Port Harcourt — 2001+

The ranking also featured 33 Nigerian institutions as “reporter” institutions. According to THE, reporter institutions submitted data but did not meet the eligibility criteria required to receive a rank.

These institutions, which stand a good chance of making the rank next year, include:

Reporter institutions

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