More Nigerian varsities make global ranking as Tinubu’s reforms gain ground
By Uji A Iliyasu, Abuja
Nigeria’s universities are becoming more visible on the world stage, 29 of them appear in the 2027 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, up from 24 last year.
Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, in a statement, said that is the highest number from any country in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Ministry says the result reflects the education reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, driven by the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, through the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI).
The reforms stress research quality, innovation, institutional performance and global competitiveness.
Five universities entered the rankings for the first time: Osun State University, the University of Maiduguri, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Kwara State University and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
Another 32 Nigerian universities are listed in THE’s Reporter category, bringing to 61 the number of institutions engaged with the exercise.
Federal universities did particularly well. Seven Nigerian universities placed within the global top 1,200, and five of them are federal institutions, or 71.4 per cent.
The University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos held their place in the 801-1000 band, alongside Covenant University, which moved up from the 1001-1200 band.
Ahmadu Bello University and the University of Ilorin both climbed into the 1001-1200 band, joining Bayero University, which held its position.
Federal institutions also hold all six Nigerian places in the 1401-1600 band. Seven Nigerian universities showed clear upward movement, and five of them are federal: Ahmadu Bello University, the University of Ilorin, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Benin. Babcock University and Covenant University were the other two.
The Ministry described the results as a sign that the reforms are “yielding significant results”. It also noted that they point to where work remains. The rankings identify Research Quality as the strongest area for Nigerian universities, while Research Environment and Teaching need more attention.
Sustaining the progress will depend on stronger academic reputation, research output, doctoral training, international collaboration and better institutional data reporting.
Dr Alausa has also directed the Nigeria Tertiary Education Ranking Advisory Committee (NITERAC), led by Professor Okebukola, to begin the 2026 national ranking of universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. The framework, being developed with stakeholders, will assess universities against 22 indicators.
It is meant to encourage healthy competition, raise institutional visibility and show each institution where it is strong and where it must improve.
The Ministry says it sees global rankings as more than recognition. It treats them as a way to measure performance honestly, identify gaps and speed up improvement across the tertiary system.