UNILAG, UI ranked the best in Nigeria in 2026 (Full list)

Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026, released on Thursday, October 9, 2025, indicates that University of Lagos (UNILAG) is sharing the 1st spot in Nigeria along with University of Ibadan (UI) in the 801–1000 range, out of over two thousand, one hundred and ninety one (2,191) institutions across the world.

Covenant University (CU), Ota, Ogun State, and Landmark University (LMU), Omu-Aran, Kwara State, come next in the 1001-1200 range, along with Bayero University, Kano (BUK).

THE rankings also show the strength of individual institutions. UNILAG is ranked highest in quality research, scoring 66.7.

Outside Nigeria, UNILAG is sharing the 801–1000 range with several institutions including: University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Alexandria University, Egypt; Cairo University, Egypt; Ain Shams University, Egypt; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico among others.

The rankings were meticulously conducted based on carefully calibrated performance indicators that measure an institution’s performance across the following areas:
Teaching
Research Environment
Research Quality
Industry
International outlook

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, appreciates management, staff, students, alumni, friends and other stakeholders of the University for their support and contributions to the achievement of this feat.

Out of 51 Nigerian institutions featured in THE 2026 ranking, only UI and UNILAG fall between 801–1000; BUK, CU, and Landmark University fall between 1001–1200

See the full list below:

1. University of Lagos (801–1000)
2. University of Ibadan (801–1000)
3. Bayero University (1001–1200)
4. Covenant University (1001–1200)
5. Landmark University (1001–1200)
6. Ahmadu Bello University (1201–1500)
7. Federal University of Technology, Minna (1201–1500)
8. University of Ilorin (1201–1500)
9. University of Jos (1201–1500)
10. University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1201–1500)
11. Babcock University (1501+)
12. Delta State University, Abraka (1501+)
13. Ekiti State University (1501+)
14. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (1501+)
15. Federal University of Technology, Akure (1501+)
16. Federal University of Technology, Owerri (1501+)
17. Federal University Oye-Ekiti (1501+)
18. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (1501+)
19. Lagos State University (1501+)
20. Nnamdi Azikiwe University (1501+)
21. Obafemi Awolowo University (1501+)
22. University of Benin (1501+)
23. University of Calabar (1501+)
24. University of Port Harcourt (1501+)
25. Admiralty University of Nigeria
26. Akwa Ibom State University
27. Al-Hikmah University
28. Augustine University
29. Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti
30. Bauchi State University, Gadau
31. Bayelsa Medical University
32. Baze University
33. Bells University of Technology
34. Bowen University
35. Evangel University, Akaeze
36. Federal University of Lafia
37. Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun
38. Fountain University
39. Godfrey Okoye University
40. Igbinedion University Okada
41. Kaduna State University
42. Lagos State University of Education
43. Lagos State University of Science and Technology
44. Lead City University
45. Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria
46. Nasarawa State University, Keffi
47. Redeemer’s University
48. Rivers State University
49. Thomas Adewumi University
50. University of Cross River State
51. University of Delta