FG Credits Reforms As 24 Nigerian Universities Make 2026 World Rankings

Twenty-four Nigerian universities have been listed in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings and the Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings.

The Federal Government linked the performance to ongoing reforms in the education sector.

The Federal Ministry of Education said the ranking reflects the impact of reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI).

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, in a statement signed by the Ministry’s Director, Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Folasade Boriowo, said the results show that Nigerian universities are improving their global standing and that investments in education are producing measurable outcomes.

“These rankings are more than numbers; they show that our universities are strengthening their global standing and that investments in education are yielding measurable results. They reflect the dedication of our institutions and stakeholders to advancing teaching, research, and innovation,” Alausa said.

The 2026 rankings placed the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos among Nigeria’s highest-ranked institutions, while Bayero University Kano also recorded a strong performance.

Nigeria increased its representation in the global rankings from 21 universities in 2024 and 2025 to 24 universities in 2026, making it the most represented country in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Seventeen of the 24 ranked institutions are federal universities. The Ministry attributed the improvement to gains in research, innovation, quality assurance, governance, digital transformation, infrastructure and human capital development.

The Ministry said the performance also reflects renewed recognition of public universities among Nigeria’s leading institutions.

Alausa said the rankings provide international validation of efforts to strengthen institutions, improve governance and promote academic excellence across the country.

He commended the University of Ibadan, the University of Lagos, Bayero University Kano, Covenant University, Landmark University, Ahmadu Bello University and other ranked institutions for their contributions to teaching, research, innovation and national development.

The Minister said Bayero University Kano’s performance shows that academic excellence is growing beyond the country’s traditional university centres.

He added that beyond the 24 institutions officially ranked in 2026, an additional 27 Nigerian universities submitted data for assessment, describing the development as evidence of increased commitment to accountability, benchmarking and global standards.

Alausa also linked the growth of Nigeria’s education sector to economic development, noting that Nigeria accounts for about 28 per cent of Africa’s fintech companies and that universities have a role in producing skilled manpower, research and innovation.

The Ministry commended governing councils, management, academic staff, students and other stakeholders for their contributions to strengthening Nigerian universities.

It reaffirmed its commitment to implementing NESRI and other education initiatives aimed at improving quality, expanding access, advancing research and innovation, and raising the standard of Nigeria’s higher education system.