The three institutions were placed in the 801–1000 global ranking band in the latest edition of the rankings released by Times Higher Education on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
Nigeria recorded 29 ranked universities in the 2027 edition, representing an increase from the 24 institutions ranked in the previous edition.
Five Nigerian universities — Osun State University, University of Maiduguri, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Kwara State University and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike — were newly included in the rankings.
Times Higher Education said the 2027 World University Rankings cover 2,297 universities across 118 countries and territories, making it one of the largest editions of the global ranking.
Covenant University Returns to Top Nigerian Group
Covenant University returned to the leading Nigerian group after it was placed behind UI and UNILAG in the 2026 edition.
The university, alongside the University of Ibadan and University of Lagos, now occupies the 801–1000 band globally.
The three institutions are followed by Ahmadu Bello University and Bayero University, which were placed in the 1001–1200 band.
THE evaluates universities using performance indicators across five broad areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry.
The organisation said the 2027 ranking uses 17 performance indicators across the five areas.
Globally, the University of Oxford retained the number-one position for an 11th consecutive year. The University of Cape Town was the highest-ranked institution in sub-Saharan Africa, moving to joint 147th position.
THE also noted that the number of ranked universities in sub-Saharan Africa increased from 55 in the previous edition to 69 in 2027, with Nigeria recording the highest number of ranked institutions in the region at 29.
Performance Across Different Areas
The rankings also highlight different areas of performance among Nigerian universities.
The University of Lagos recorded the highest score among Nigerian universities for research quality, while Bayero University was identified as having the strongest international outlook.
Covenant University recorded the highest industry score among Nigerian institutions, reflecting its performance in the industry-related component of the ranking.
Times Higher Education's methodology is designed to assess research-intensive universities based on teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.
Full List of Nigerian Universities Ranked in 2027
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+
33 Nigerian Universities Listed as Reporter Institutions
In addition to the 29 ranked universities, 33 Nigerian institutions were listed as reporter institutions.
According to THE, reporter institutions submitted data for consideration but did not meet all the eligibility requirements necessary to receive a position in the overall ranking.
The institutions are:
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; and University of Delta.
How Times Higher Education Ranks Universities
The 2027 Times Higher Education World University Rankings assess universities using 17 performance indicators grouped under five major areas.
These include teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry.
THE said the 2027 edition includes 2,297 institutions from 118 countries and territories. The ranking also introduced more detailed ranking bands to provide greater differentiation between institutions.
For a university to be eligible for the World University Rankings, THE considers factors including undergraduate teaching, research activity and research publication output.
The 2027 results show the continued presence of Nigerian universities in the global higher education rankings, with 29 institutions receiving a position in this year's edition.
Official Times Higher Education World University Rankings: View the 2027 World University Rankings
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