Covenant University has reclaimed the top spot among Nigerian universities in the 2027 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. The University of Ibadan (UI) and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) are right behind it.
THE listed these three universities in the 801, 1000 global band. Covenant University is the highest-ranked Nigerian institution.
Last year, Covenant University had dropped to third place among Nigerian universities. At that time, the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos held the top two spots.
This new ranking marks a comeback for Covenant University. It has been consistently in the top 1,000 since 2019, except for last year's ranking.
A total of 29 Nigerian universities made it to the 2027 ranking. This is an increase from 24 in the 2026 edition.
In sub-Saharan Africa, the University of Cape Town ranked highest, moving up to joint 147th globally from joint 164th last year.
"Across the region, the number of ranked institutions rose from 55 last year to 69 this year. Nigeria has the most universities on the list with 29 in total," THE noted.
This year, THE ranked 2,297 universities from 118 countries and territories. This is up from 2,191 universities from 115 countries in 2026.
Top 10 Nigerian universities
According to THE, the top 10 Nigerian universities in the 2027 ranking are:
- 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
Other Nigerian universities
The rankings also showed six Nigerian universities in the 1401, 1600 band. They are the Federal University of Technology, Minna; Nnamdi Azikiwe University; Obafemi Awolowo University; University of Benin; University of Jos; and University of Maiduguri.
The Federal University of Technology, Akure was placed in the 1601, 1800 band.
Five institutions fell into the 1801, 2000 band. They are Federal University of Technology, Owerri; Ladoke Akintola University of Technology; Lagos State University; Olabisi Onabanjo University; and University of Calabar.
Seven Nigerian universities were in the 2001+ band. They are Delta State University, Abraka; Ekiti State University; Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; Federal University Oye-Ekiti; Kwara State University; Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike; and University of Port Harcourt.
How THE ranked the universities
THE’s World University Rankings evaluate universities using 17 performance indicators in five broad areas. These areas are teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook, and industry.
The indicators include teaching reputation, research reputation, research income and productivity, citation impact, research strength and excellence, international students and staff, international collaboration, industry income, and patents.
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