Nigeria's 2027 University Rankings: What They Mean for You

The 2027 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings lists 29 universities from Nigeria. Three share Nigeria’s first position: Covenant University, the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos. THE places all three in the world rank band 801-1000. That band does not give them separate exact world positions.

A university ranking is a comparison made using chosen measures. This list can help you learn about a university’s research and wider work. It cannot tell you whether every course, campus or learning experience is right for you.

What does THE measure?

THE describes this as a ranking for research-intensive universities. That means it gives significant attention to universities that produce research, as well as to teaching. The 2027 ranking uses 17 measures grouped into five areas:

The five areas in THE’s 2027 university ranking

Area	Share of the score	What it looks at
Teaching	29.5%	The learning environment, including staff and student numbers
Research environment	29%	Research activity, reputation and income
Research quality	30%	How often other researchers refer to and build on published work
International outlook	7.5%	International students, staff and research links
Industry	4%	Research links with businesses and patents

A citation is a reference to a published study by another researcher. Since research measures make up much of this ranking, the result is not a direct measure of how well a particular course teaches its students. You can read THE’s 2027 ranking method for the full details.

The Nigerian universities in THE’s 2027 table

THE groups many universities into rank bands instead of giving each one an exact position. A band is a range of positions. The equal sign means that the universities share that Nigerian position. For example, “=4” means the universities share fourth place. THE says it uses bands because small score differences below the top 300 are not statistically significant. In simple terms, the scores do not support a reliable exact order within that band.

Nigerian universities by position and world rank band in THE’s 2027 table

Nigeria position	World rank band	Universities
=1	801-1000	Covenant University; University of Ibadan; University of Lagos
=4	1001-1200	Ahmadu Bello University; Bayero University; Landmark University; University of Ilorin
=8	1201-1400	Babcock University; Osun State University; University of Nigeria Nsukka
=11	1401-1600	Federal University of Technology, Minna; Nnamdi Azikiwe University; Obafemi Awolowo University; University of Benin; University of Jos; University of Maiduguri
17	1601-1800	Federal University of Technology, Akure
=18	1801-2000	Federal University of Technology, Owerri; Ladoke Akintola University of Technology; Lagos State University; Olabisi Onabanjo University; University of Calabar
=23	2001+	Delta State University, Abraka; Ekiti State University; Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; Federal University Oye-Ekiti; Kwara State University; Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike; University of Port Harcourt

How to use the ranking when choosing a course

1. Start with the course. Check that the university offers the subject you want and that the programme is approved. The National Universities Commission’s Nigerian University System directory lists universities and programme information.
2. Check the admission rules. Use JAMB’s Integrated Brochure and Syllabus System to check the subject and entry requirements for your course.
3. Compare the daily realities. Look at fees, location, accommodation, facilities and student support. These can affect your choice even when two universities sit in different rank bands.
4. Use the ranking as one clue. It describes performance under THE’s measures. It does not promise a job, prove that every department is equally strong, or decide which school is best for you.

Use the ranking to make a shortlist, then check the course and the school’s current official information before you apply.

View THE’s 2027 Nigeria rankings.

Image credits

• Covenant University Senate Building Layout by AbrahamHaruna, CC BY-SA 4.0.
• Aerial section of University of Ibadan by Ei'eke, CC BY 4.0.
• University of Lagos Main Gate by Ei'eke, CC BY 4.0.

Photos cropped and combined into a collage, with labels added. The collage is available under CC BY-SA 4.0. The photographs and their reuse do not imply endorsement by the universities or photographers.