University of Ibadan Tops Nigeria’s 2026 Instances Larger Schooling Rating Forward of UNILAG and BUK

The University of Ibadan has been named Nigeria’s finest college within the Instances Larger Schooling (THE) World College Rankings 2026, revealed on Thursday.

The rating locations the establishment inside the 801–1000 world band, forward of the University of Lagos and Bayero College, Kano, which have been ranked second and third, respectively.

The UK-based Instances Larger Schooling assessed 2,191 establishments throughout 115 international locations utilizing 18 efficiency indicators grouped into 5 key areas: instructing, analysis surroundings, analysis high quality, trade engagement and worldwide outlook.

In accordance with the 2026 outcomes, the University of Ibadan (UI) reclaimed the highest nationwide place it final held in 2023, transferring up from fourth place within the 2025 rating.

The Ibadan-based college dethroned Covenant University, which held the highest spot in 2024 and 2025.

Following the brand new rating, Covenant University positioned fourth in Nigeria whereas Landmark College ranked fifth. Ahmadu Bello University, Federal College of Expertise Minna, University of Ilorin, University of Jos, and University of Nigeria, Nsukka all appeared inside the world 1201–1500 band.

Instances Larger Schooling famous that the 2026 record displays modifications within the world higher-education panorama, analysing 174.9 million citations from 18.7 million analysis publications and survey responses from over 108,000 students worldwide.

Inside Nigeria, class outcomes present that the University of Lagos achieved the very best rating in analysis high quality at 66.7, Bayero College Kano ranked highest in worldwide outlook, and Covenant University retained the main place for trade connection.

The University of Ibadan’s return to the highest underscores its long-standing tutorial heritage and renewed analysis efficiency within the worldwide rating system.

For reference, UI and UNILAG fall inside the 801–1000 band globally; BUK, CU, and Landmark seem between 1001–1200; whereas a number of different Nigerian universities, together with Ahmadu Bello University and Federal College of Expertise Minna, occupy positions between 1201 and 1500. Establishments corresponding to Babcock University, LASU, OAU, UNIBEN, UNICAL, and UNIPORT stay within the 1501+ class.

The 2026 THE World College Rankings present a benchmark for measuring tutorial excellence, institutional analysis capability, and worldwide engagement amongst universities worldwide.