Covenant University has returned to the top position among Nigerian universities in the 2027 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, with the University of Ibadan (UI) and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) following closely behind.
THE placed the three universities in the 801–1000 global band, but listed Covenant University first among the Nigerian institutions.
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Covenant University had slipped to third position among Nigerian universities in last year’s ranking, when the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos occupied the top two positions.
The latest ranking therefore marks a return to the top for the private university, which has consistently featured in the top 1,000 spots since 2019, except in last year’s edition.
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A total of 29 Nigerian universities featured in the 2027 ranking, up from 24 in the 2026 edition.
In sub-Saharan Africa, the University of Cape Town was the highest-ranked institution, rising to joint 147th globally from joint 164th in the 2026 edition.
“Across the region (sub-Saharan Africa), the number of ranked institutions increased from 55 last year to 69 this year. Nigeria has the most universities ranked, with 29 in total,” THE said.
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This year, THE ranked 2,297 universities across 118 countries and territories, compared with 2,191 universities from 115 countries and territories in 2026.
Top 10 Nigerian universities
Based on the order in which THE presents the Nigerian universities in the 2027 ranking, the top 10 are:
1. Covenant University — 801–1000
2. University of Ibadan — 801–1000
3. University of Lagos — 801–1000
![University of Lagos (UNILAG). [PHOTO CREDIT: Akinola Oyewobi]](https://i0.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2022/11/IMG-20221118-WA0010.jpg?resize=1280%2C720&ssl=1)
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
Other Nigerian universities
The rankings also showed that six Nigerian universities were placed in the 1401–1600 band. They are the Federal University of Technology, Minna; Nnamdi Azikiwe University; Obafemi Awolowo University; University of Benin; University of Jos; and University of Maiduguri.
The Federal University of Technology, Akure was placed in the 1601–1800 band.
Five institutions were in the 1801–2000 band: Federal University of Technology, Owerri; Ladoke Akintola University of Technology; Lagos State University; Olabisi Onabanjo University; and University of Calabar.
The remaining seven Nigerian universities were placed in the 2001+ band. They are 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.
How THE ranked the universities
THE’s World University Rankings assess universities using 17 performance indicators grouped into five broad areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry.
The indicators measure areas including teaching reputation, research reputation, research income and productivity, citation impact, research strength and excellence, international students and staff, international collaboration, industry income and patents.
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