Nigerian public varsities record strongest-ever global rankings
By Uji A. Iliyasu Abuja
Nigerian universities have achieved their best-ever showing in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, with the country increasing its representation from 21 institutions in previous years to 24 in 2026, making Nigeria the most represented country in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Federal Ministry of Education, in a statement issued by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Folasade Boriowo, on Friday, described the results as evidence of the positive impact of reforms being implemented under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI).
The University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos featured among Nigeria’s highest-ranked institutions, while Bayero University Kano emerged as one of the country’s top performers.
Seventeen of the 24 ranked institutions are federal universities, reflecting improvements in research, innovation, quality assurance, governance, digital transformation, infrastructure, and human capital development.
The rankings also mark a notable resurgence of public universities among the country’s leading institutions.
Reacting to the development, Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, said the results demonstrate the growing impact of government efforts to reposition higher education as a driver of national development.
“These rankings are more than numbers; they show that our universities are strengthening their global standing and that investments in education are yielding measurable results. They reflect the dedication of our institutions and stakeholders to advancing teaching, research, and innovation,” Dr. Alausa said.
The Minister noted that the rankings provide credible international validation of ongoing efforts to strengthen institutions, improve governance, and promote academic excellence across the sector.
He commended the University of Ibadan, the University of Lagos, Bayero University Kano, Covenant University, Landmark University, and Ahmadu Bello University for their contributions to teaching, research, innovation, and national development, adding that Bayero University Kano’s performance highlights the growing spread of academic excellence beyond Nigeria’s traditional academic centres.
Dr. Alausa further disclosed that, beyond the 24 officially ranked institutions, an additional 27 Nigerian universities submitted data for assessment, demonstrating an increasing commitment to accountability, institutional benchmarking, and global standards.
The Minister also highlighted Nigeria’s broader innovation credentials, noting that the country accounts for approximately 28 per cent of Africa’s fintech companies, underscoring the central role of universities in producing the skilled workforce, research, and innovation capacity required for economic growth and global competitiveness.
The Federal Ministry of Education expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his steadfast support for education sector transformation, and commended the leadership, governing councils, academic staff, students, and stakeholders whose contributions continue to strengthen Nigeria’s universities.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to implementing NESRI and other strategic initiatives aimed at improving quality, expanding access, and positioning Nigeria’s education system among the most competitive on the continent.