By Ngozi Nwankwo
Federal Government said Nigeria has strengthened its presence in the global higher education landscape, with 29 universities featuring in the 2027 Times Higher Education, THE, World University Rankings, the highest representation by any country in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Federal Ministry of Education said the development reflects the impact of ongoing reforms under the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa.
According to THE 2027 rankings, the number of Nigerian universities ranked globally increased from 24 in 2026 to 29 in 2027, with five institutions entering for the first time. An additional 32 Nigerian universities are listed in the THE Reporter category, bringing total institutions engaged to 61.
Federal universities recorded particularly strong results, with five of the seven Nigerian universities placed within the global top 1,200 being federal universities, representing 71.4 per cent in that band.
The University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos retained their positions in the 801–1000 band, while Ahmadu Bello University and the University of Ilorin advanced into the 1001–1200 band, joining Bayero University which retained its position. Covenant University also placed in the 801–1000 band.
The report further shows that federal universities occupy all six Nigerian positions in the 1401–1600 band.
Five of the seven Nigerian universities that recorded clear upward movement are federal institutions: Ahmadu Bello University, University of Ilorin, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Obafemi Awolowo University and University of Benin.
Other movements include Covenant University rising from 1001–1200 to 801–1000, Babcock University from 1501+ to 1201–1400, while Osun State University, University of Maiduguri, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Kwara State University and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike entered as new entrants.
The ministry said the increase is a clear manifestation that President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for education, driven by the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), is yielding results.
It said the reform direction is reflected in its focus on strengthening evidence-based institutional performance, research capacity and healthy competition.
Meanwhile, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa has directed the Nigeria Tertiary Education Ranking Advisory Committee,NITERAC, led by Prof. Peter Okebukola to commence the 2026 national ranking of universities, polytechnics and colleges of education to stimulate competition, enhance visibility and strengthen capacity to compete globally.
The ministry said the emerging national ranking framework, being developed with stakeholders, will assess universities using 22 indicators.
It noted that THE 2027 rankings identify Research Quality as the strongest pillar for Nigerian universities, while Research Environment and Teaching require further attention.
“The Federal Ministry of Education welcomes the progress recorded and remains committed to reforms that advance research excellence, teaching quality, innovation, international engagement and institutional competitiveness,” it said.
