The Nigerian Universities Ranking Advisory Committee (NURAC) has commended the Nigerian university system for the remarkable improvement in the global rankings of some universities in the country, in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject, which was released on January 21.
For the first time, 24 Nigerian universities were listed in the global rankings, making Nigeria the most represented country in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The rankings cover 11 subject areas, including Arts and Humanities; Business and Economics; Computer Science; Education Studies; Engineering; Law; Life Sciences; Medical and Health; Physical Sciences; Psychology and Social Sciences.
Reflecting on the newly released data, Professor Emeritus Peter Okebukola who is chairman of NURAC and former Executive Secretary of NUC described the performance as a “testament to the resilience and burgeoning academic prowess of Nigeria,” noting that the nation’s institutions are increasingly breaking into elite global tiers across a diverse range of disciplines.
According to a statement made available to news men in Abuja on Thursday by Okebukola, ” this is coming at a time when the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government has given a huge boost to the welfare package of university staff and planned improvement in teaching, learning and research environment in our universities.
He also stated that the feat recorded was in building on the gains of previous administrations noting the impact of Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed as former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The statement explained that to be ranked in a specific subject for 2026, universities had to meet two main criteria- publication threshold: a minimum number of research papers published in that subject over the last five years (e.g., 500 for Engineering, 100 for Law); and staff threshold: a minimum percentage or absolute number of academic staff working in that specific field.
According to Okebukola “the 2026 rankings highlight a significant shift in global recognition for Nigeria’s professional programmes. Most notably, the University of Ibadan and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka have broken into the top 400 worldwide for Law, both placing in the prestigious 301–400 band.
“In the field of Medical and Health, the University of Ibadan maintains its position as a global leader in the 301–400 band, followed by the University of Lagos in the 401–500 bracket. Other medical powerhouses include Ahmadu Bello University, Bayero University Kano, the University of Benin, the University of Jos, and the University of Nigeria Nsukka, all ranking within the 601–800 band globally, while institutions like Babcock, OAU, and University of Ilorin secured spots in the 801–1,000 range. LAUTECH; LASU; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; University of Calabar; and University of Port Harcourt earned spots in the 1000+ band.
Speaking further, Okebukola noted that “Nigeria’s technological institutions have shown remarkable strength in Computer Science, led by Landmark University in the 501–600 band, with Covenant University and the University of Ilorin following in the 601–800 group. In the Physical Sciences, a strong cohort led by the Federal University of Technology Minna, Landmark University, and the University of Ilorin all secured placements in the 601–800 band.
“In the 801-1000 band are Covenant University, Federal University of Technology, Akure; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; and University of Calabar. In the 1001-1250 band are Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Bayero University, Kano; Federal University of Technology, Owerri; LAUTECH; and University of Lagos. Featuring in the 1250+ band are Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; Federal University, Oye-Ekiti; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife; University of Benin; University of Ibadan; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; and University of Port Harcourt,” he stated.
He further observed that Social Sciences continue to be a stronghold for the nation, with Covenant University and the University of Ibadan achieving a 501–600 global ranking.
University of Lagos is placed in the 601-800 band while in the 801-1000 band are Landmark University; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; University of Ilorin; and University of Nigeria, Nsukka. In the 1000+ band are Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Delta State University, Abraka; Federal University, Oye-Ekiti; Lagos State University (LASU); Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; and University of Calabar. Furthermore, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka distinguished itself as the sole Nigerian representative in Psychology, ranking in the 501–600 band.
Commenting further on other subjects, Okebukola noted that the humanities and business sectors also recorded competitive results. In Arts and Humanities, the University of Ibadan and the University of Nigeria Nsukka lead in the 601–800 band. Similarly, in Business and Economics, Covenant University, FUTA, OAU, and the University of Ilorin all placed within the 601–800 global bracket.
In Engineering, a vital sector for national development, Covenant University, LAUTECH, Landmark University, and the University of Ilorin all featured prominently in the 801–1,000 band, followed by a large group including BUK, FUTA, and UNILAG in the 1001–1250 range.
Professor Okebukola emphasised that these rankings are the result of one of the world’s most demanding evaluative frameworks. The THE Subject Rankings utilise 18 performance indicators grouped into five key pillars: Teaching (The Learning Environment): accounting for approximately 30% of the score; Research Environment: evaluating productivity, income, and reputation (approx. 29%); Research Quality: measuring citation impact and research excellence (approx. 30%); International Outlook: assessing the ratio of international staff, students, and research (7.5%); and Industry (Knowledge Transfer): highlighting industry income and patents (4%).
“The methodology is specifically recalibrated for each subject to ensure fairness, for instance, placing higher weight on “Industry Income” for Engineering than for the Arts. Furthermore, universities must meet strict publication thresholds, such as producing at least 500 papers over five years for STEM subjects or 100 for Law and Education.
“The data speaks for itself,” Professor Okebukola stated. “Nigerian universities are no longer just participating; they are competing at a level that demands global respect. We are seeing a new era where Nigerian research in Law, Medicine, and the Sciences is influencing global thought leadership. However, we must not rest.
NURAC will continue to work with the National Universities Commission (NUC) to ensure this upward trajectory becomes a permanent feature of our educational landscape.” Further from Okebukola “I commend every university that participated in these rankings. Whether you ranked in the 301-400 band or beyond 1250+, your presence in these global league tables is itself an achievement. Each institution has demonstrated commitment to research productivity, teaching excellence, international collaboration, and impact- the pillars upon which great universities are built.”
NURAC is a strategic body dedicated to enhancing the global visibility and ranking performance of Nigerian universities through data-led advisory and ranking of Nigerian universities.
While celebrating these achievements, NURAC recognises opportunities for further advancement through increased investment in research infrastructure, equipment, and competitive research grants to support staff research productivity and quality; expansion of partnerships with leading global universities to enhance research impact, citation rates, and international reputation; strengthening university-industry linkages to enhance research commercialisation, technology transfer, and industry income- a key THE ranking metric; and funding support for NURAC to implement its strategic plan 2022-2030.
NURAC is made up of Distinguished Professor Emeritus Peter A. Okebukola, OFR- Chairman; Professor Olanrewaju Adigun Fagbohun, SAN, former Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University and Representative Southwest Zone; Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba, former Vice-Chancellor, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike and Representative of Southeast Zone; Professor Joseph Ajienka, former Vice-Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt and Representative of South South Zone; Professor Jibrila Dahiru Amin, former Vice-Chancellor, University of Maiduguri and Representative Northeast Zone; Professor Muhammad Yahuza Bello, former Vice-Chancellor, Bayero University Kano and Representative Northwest Zone; Professor Angela Miri, former Vice-Chancellor, Federal University, Lokoja Representative of North Central Zone; and Dr. Biodun Saliu- Representative of ES-NUC.
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