Nigeria has recorded its strongest ever performance in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, with 24 universities earning global recognition. The milestone makes Nigeria the most represented country in Sub-Saharan Africa in this year’s rankings, according to the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa.
In a statement shared on X, Alausa said the number of ranked Nigerian universities increased from 21 in previous years to 24 in the 2026 edition. He added that 17 of the ranked institutions are federal universities, describing the result as evidence that ongoing reforms are strengthening the country’s public higher education system.
The universities recognised include the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos and Bayero University Kano, alongside several other institutions across the country. The minister congratulated all the universities featured in the rankings, saying the achievement reflects a collective commitment to academic excellence.
Alausa said the improved performance is linked to increased investment in research, innovation, digital transformation, infrastructure, quality assurance and governance across Nigerian universities. He noted that the rankings are not only about international recognition but also show that reforms in the education sector are beginning to produce measurable results.
The minister also disclosed that 27 additional Nigerian universities participated in the 2026 assessment process, even though they were not ranked. He said the growing participation demonstrates a stronger commitment by institutions to global benchmarking, transparency and continuous improvement.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to higher education reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Alausa said the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) will continue to support universities in producing the knowledge, innovation and skilled graduates needed for national development. He described the latest rankings as an encouraging sign that Nigeria’s higher education sector is making steady progress on the global stage.
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