Covenant University, the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos have jointly emerged as Nigeria’s highest-ranked universities in the 2027 Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

The three were placed between 801 and 1000 globally in the best university rankings published on THE’s website on Wednesday.

Nigeria also recorded 29 ranked universities in the 2027 edition, up from 24 in the 2026 rankings.

Five universities, including Osun State University, the University of Maiduguri, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Kwara State University and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, were newly ranked.

Covenant University returned to the top position among Nigerian universities after it was dethroned to third last year by UI and UNILAG, which shared the top position in the 2026 edition.

Following them are two Northwest Nigerian universities: Ahmadu Bello University and Bayero University, ranking fourth and fifth, respectively.

The rankings assess research-intensive universities across five broad areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry.

According to THE, the 2027 rankings cover 2,297 institutions across 118 countries and territories. The ranking uses 17 performance indicators across the five pillars.

Globally, the University of Oxford retained the number one position for an 11th consecutive year, while in sub-Saharan Africa, the University of Cape Town was the highest-ranked institution, rising to joint 147th position from joint 164th in the previous edition.

“The number of ranked institutions in sub-Saharan increased from 55 last year to 69 this year. Nigeria has the most universities ranked, with 29 in total,” THE said.

THE rankings also show the strength of individual institutions. UNILAG is ranked highest in quality research, scoring 67.8.

BUK is ranked as the best Nigerian university in terms of international outlook, while Covenant has the highest industry score, indicating its top connection to industries.

Full list of ranked Nigerian universities

1. Covenant University — 801–1000
2. University of Ibadan — 801–1000
3. University of Lagos — 801–1000
4. Ahmadu Bello University — 1001–1200
5. Bayero University — 1001–1200
6. Landmark University — 1001–1200
7. University of Ilorin — 1001–1200
8. Babcock University — 1201–1400
9. Osun State University — 1201–1400
10. University of Nigeria, Nsukka — 1201–1400
11. Federal University of Technology, Minna — 1401–1600
12. Nnamdi Azikiwe University — 1401–1600
13. Obafemi Awolowo University — 1401–1600
14. University of Benin — 1401–1600
15. University of Jos — 1401–1600
16. University of Maiduguri — 1401–1600
17. Federal University of Technology, Akure — 1601–1800
18. Federal University of Technology, Owerri — 1801–2000
19. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology — 1801–2000
20. Lagos State University — 1801–2000
21. Olabisi Onabanjo University — 1801–2000
22. University of Calabar — 1801–2000
23. Delta State University, Abraka — 2001+
24. Ekiti State University — 2001+
25. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta — 2001+
26. Federal University Oye-Ekiti — 2001+
27. Kwara State University — 2001+
28. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike — 2001+
29. University of Port Harcourt — 2001+

The ranking also listed 33 Nigerian institutions as “reporter” institutions. According to THE, reporter institutions submitted data but did not meet the eligibility criteria required to receive a rank.

Reporter institutions

1. Abia State University
2. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University
3. Adamawa State University
4. Ajayi Crowther University
5. Akwa Ibom State University
6. Aletheia University, Ago-Iwoye
7. Al-Hikmah University
8. Ambrose Alli University
9. Augustine University
10. Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti
11. Bayelsa Medical University
12. Baze University
13. Bells University of Technology
14. Bingham University
15. Bowen University
16. Evangel University, Akaeze
17. Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun
18. Federal University Otuoke
19. Fountain University
20. Godfrey Okoye University
21. Igbinedion University Okada
22. Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University
23. Lagos State University of Education
24. Lagos State University of Science and Technology
25. Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria
26. Michael and Cecilia Ibru University
27. Miva Open University
28. Nasarawa State University, Keffi
29. Nile University of Nigeria
30. Plateau State University, Bokkos
31. Rivers State University
32. University of Cross River State
33. University of Delta

Reports show that THE is a globally recognised independent organisation that provides data and analysis for the higher education sector, including the widely adopted World University Rankings.

While data submission is open to all universities, institutions are only ranked in the World University Rankings 2027 if they teach undergraduates, produce research across a range of subjects and have published at least 1,000 research publications between 2021 and 2025, with a minimum of 100 a year.