The Nigerian Universities Ranking Advisory Committee (NURAC) hailed the performance, noting that 24 Nigerian universities were listed in the latest rankings, released on January 21. This is the first time such a large number of institutions from Nigeria have appeared in the subject-based global rankings, which span 11 academic fields, including Arts and Humanities, Business and Economics, Computer Science, Education Studies, Engineering, Law, Life Sciences, Medical and Health, Physical Sciences, Psychology, and Social Sciences.
Chairman of NURAC and former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Emeritus Peter Okebukola, described the outcome as a strong affirmation of the growing academic capacity of Nigerian universities. He said the results demonstrate the resilience of the system and its increasing ability to compete in elite global academic circles across a wide range of disciplines.
Speaking in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, Okebukola linked the improved performance to recent government interventions aimed at strengthening the sector. He noted that the results come at a time when the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has enhanced the welfare package of university staff and outlined plans to improve teaching, learning, and research environments nationwide. He added that the current progress also builds on reforms and foundations laid by previous administrations, particularly under the tenure of former NUC Executive Secretary, Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed.
According to NURAC, inclusion in the 2026 subject rankings required universities to meet strict criteria. These include a publication threshold—such as a minimum of 500 research papers over five years for Engineering or 100 for Law—as well as a staff threshold, requiring a defined number or proportion of academic staff actively working in the relevant discipline.
The data shows notable gains in professional and health-related disciplines. In Law, the University of Ibadan and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka both entered the global 301–400 band, marking Nigeria’s strongest performance in the field to date. In Medical and Health sciences, the University of Ibadan retained its position in the 301–400 band, with the University of Lagos ranking in the 401–500 range. Other institutions, including Ahmadu Bello University, Bayero University Kano, the University of Benin, the University of Jos, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, were placed in the 601–800 band. Babcock University, Obafemi Awolowo University, and the University of Ilorin featured in the 801–1,000 range, while several others appeared in the 1,000-plus category.
Nigeria’s technological and science-focused institutions also posted strong results. In Computer Science, Landmark University led national representation in the 501–600 band, followed by Covenant University and the University of Ilorin in the 601–800 range. In the Physical Sciences, the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Landmark University, and the University of Ilorin all secured placements in the 601–800 band. Several other universities were ranked across the 801–1,000, 1,001–1,250, and 1,250-plus categories, reflecting broad-based participation across the sector.
The Social Sciences remained a traditional area of strength for Nigerian universities. Covenant University and the University of Ibadan ranked in the 501–600 band globally, while the University of Lagos followed in the 601–800 group. A range of other federal, state, and private universities appeared across the remaining bands. Notably, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka emerged as Nigeria’s sole representative in Psychology, ranking in the 501–600 band.
Okebukola emphasised that the Times Higher Education subject rankings are based on one of the most rigorous evaluation systems in global higher education. Universities are assessed using 18 performance indicators grouped into five pillars: Teaching, Research Environment, Research Quality, International Outlook, and Industry Engagement. Research quality and teaching alone account for roughly 60 per cent of the overall score, underscoring the competitiveness of the rankings.
“The data speaks for itself,” Okebukola said, noting that Nigerian universities are no longer merely participating in global rankings but are increasingly competing at a level that commands international respect. He highlighted the growing global influence of Nigerian research in Law, Medicine, and the Sciences, while cautioning against complacency.
He reaffirmed NURAC’s commitment to working closely with the National Universities Commission to sustain and deepen the progress. According to him, the objective is to ensure that the current upward trend becomes a permanent and defining feature of Nigeria’s higher education landscape.
NURAC is a strategic advisory body focused on improving the global visibility and ranking performance of Nigerian universities through data-driven analysis and policy guidance.