UNIVERSITIES
Nigeria Records Highest Representation in Sub-Saharan Africa
Nigeria has increased its representation in the global higher education landscape, with 29 Nigerian universities featured in the 2027 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, compared with 24 institutions in the 2026 edition.
The latest ranking, released by Times Higher Education on September 30, 2026, covers 2,297 universities from 118 countries and territories. Nigeria recorded the highest number of ranked universities among countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, which has 69 institutions in the 2027 edition.
Five Nigerian Universities Enter the Rankings for the First Time
Five Nigerian universities appeared in the THE rankings for the first time in the 2027 edition.
They are:
Osun State University
University of Maiduguri
Olabisi Onabanjo University
Kwara State University
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike
The five new entrants contributed to the increase in Nigeria’s representation from 24 universities in 2026 to 29 in 2027.
Covenant University, UI and UNILAG in the 801–1000 Band
Three Nigerian universities occupy the highest position among the country’s institutions in the 2027 ranking.
Covenant University, the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos are all placed within the 801–1000 global ranking band.
Covenant University moved from the 1001–1200 band in the 2026 edition to 801–1000 in 2027, while the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos remained within the 801–1000 band.
Other Nigerian universities in the next band include Ahmadu Bello University and Bayero University, both placed within 1001–1200. THE’s official profile confirms Bayero University’s 1001–1200 position in the 2027 rankings.
Wider Representation Across Nigerian Universities
The 29 institutions represent a broader spread of Nigerian higher education institutions in the global ranking exercise.
Among the institutions newly ranked, Osun State University is placed in the 1201–1400 band, while the University of Maiduguri is in the 1401–1600 band.
The increased participation means more Nigerian universities are now being assessed against international measures covering areas such as teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.
THE says its World University Rankings use 17 performance indicators across these broad areas.
Research Performance Remains Important
An assessment of Nigeria’s performance in the 2027 rankings has also drawn attention to research quality, academic reputation, research output and international collaboration.
Prof. Peter Okebukola, Chairman of the Nigerian Tertiary Education Ranking Advisory Committee (NiTERAC), said the increase in the number of Nigerian universities appearing in the global ranking should be accompanied by continued improvement in areas affecting international academic performance.
The assessment also highlights the importance of strengthening research productivity, academic reputation, doctoral output, international collaboration and institutional data reporting.
Nigeria Moves Towards a National Ranking Framework
The Federal Ministry of Education has also moved to strengthen the assessment of Nigerian tertiary institutions through a national ranking framework.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has directed the Nigeria Tertiary Education Ranking Advisory Committee, led by Prof. Peter Okebukola, to commence the 2026 national ranking of Nigerian universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
The move is expected to provide a national mechanism for assessing institutional performance alongside participation in international ranking systems.
A Broader Global Presence
Nigeria’s 29 universities in the 2027 THE World University Rankings represent a significant expansion in the country’s participation in a major global university assessment.
However, the ranking itself should be understood as a measure based on THE’s published methodology rather than as a complete assessment of every aspect of university quality.
With Nigeria now accounting for 29 of the 69 ranked institutions from Sub-Saharan Africa, the latest edition shows a wider Nigerian presence in the global ranking landscape.
SOURCE: Times Higher Education (THE), Federal Ministry of Education, Nigeria Tertiary Education Ranking Advisory Committee (NiTERAC).
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