Three Nigerian Universities Make THE Global Top 1,000 in 2027 Ranking
The University of Ibadan (UI), University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Covenant University have all been placed in the 801–1000 band of the 2027 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.
The latest ranking, released on Wednesday, marks a change from the 2026 edition, when only UI and UNILAG featured among the world’s top 1,000 universities. Covenant University, which was placed in the 1001–1200 band last year, has now returned to the top 1,000.
The number of Nigerian universities featuring among the global top 1,000 has fluctuated in recent years. In the 2025 ranking, only Covenant University made the top 1,000, before UI and UNILAG joined the group in the 2026 edition.
The 2027 ranking therefore takes the number of Nigerian universities in the top 1,000 to three. Overall, 29 Nigerian universities were included in this year’s THE ranking, compared with 24 in the previous edition.
Five institutions appeared in the ranking for the first time: Osun State University, University of Maiduguri, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Kwara State University and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
Other Nigerian institutions in the 1001–1200 band include Ahmadu Bello University, Bayero University, Landmark University and the University of Ilorin. Babcock University, Osun State University and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka are listed in the 1201–1400 band.
The 1401–1600 band features the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Benin, University of Jos and University of Maiduguri. Federal University of Technology, Akure is the only Nigerian institution in the 1601–1800 band, while Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Lagos State University, Olabisi Onabanjo University and University of Calabar are in the 1801–2000 band.
The remaining seven Nigerian universities are ranked 2001 and above: 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; and University of Port Harcourt.
Globally, the University of Oxford retained the number one position for the 11th consecutive year. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) ranked second, while Princeton University and Stanford University jointly occupied third place