Covenant University, the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos have been placed in the 801–1000 band in the 2027 Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
The three institutions are Nigeria’s highest-ranked universities in the latest edition released by Times Higher Education on Wednesday.
Nigeria increased its representation in the rankings from 24 universities in 2026 to 29 in 2027, with five institutions appearing in the ranking for the first time.
The new entrants are Osun State University, the University of Maiduguri, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Kwara State University and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
Covenant University returned to the 801–1000 band after being placed in the 1001–1200 band in the 2026 edition, while the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos retained their positions within the 801–1000 range.
Ahmadu Bello University and Bayero University followed the three institutions, both placed in the 1001–1200 band.
THE said the 2027 rankings cover 2,297 universities across 118 countries and territories, making it the organisation’s most inclusive edition.
The ranking assesses research-intensive universities using 17 performance indicators across five broad areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry.
The University of Lagos recorded Nigeria’s highest score for research quality at 67.8, while Bayero University had the highest international outlook score among Nigerian institutions. Covenant University recorded the highest industry score.
Globally, the University of Oxford retained the number one position for an 11th consecutive year. In sub-Saharan Africa, the University of Cape Town was the highest-ranked institution at joint 147th.
THE also said the number of ranked universities in sub-Saharan Africa increased from 55 in the previous edition to 69, with Nigeria recording the highest number of ranked institutions in the region.
Full list of ranked Nigerian universities
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+
The ranking also listed 33 Nigerian institutions as reporter institutions. THE said these universities submitted data but did not meet the eligibility requirements for a ranked position.
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