Nigeria has strengthened its position in the global higher education sector, with 29 Nigerian universities featuring in the 2027 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.
The Federal Ministry of Education said the figure represents the highest number of universities from any country in Sub-Saharan Africa to feature in the rankings.
According to the ministry, the number of Nigerian universities ranked globally increased from 24 in 2026 to 29 in 2027, with five institutions entering the rankings for the first time.
A further 32 Nigerian universities were listed in the THE Reporter category, bringing the total number of Nigerian institutions engaged with the ranking exercise to 61.
The ministry attributed the development to ongoing education reforms under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, particularly initiatives focused on research excellence, innovation, institutional performance and international competitiveness.
It said the development reflected the impact of the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) and efforts by the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, to improve the quality and global visibility of Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
Federal universities recorded strong performances, accounting for five of the seven Nigerian universities placed within the global top 1,200, representing 71.4 per cent of institutions in that band.
The University of Ibadan and University of Lagos retained their positions in the 801–1000 band, while Ahmadu Bello University and the University of Ilorin moved into the 1001–1200 band.
Bayero University also retained its position in the 1001–1200 band, while Covenant University was placed in the 801–1000 band.
The ministry said federal universities also occupied all six Nigerian positions in the 1401–1600 band, further highlighting their contribution to Nigeria’s improved global ranking profile.
Five of the seven Nigerian universities that recorded clear upward movement were federal institutions: Ahmadu Bello University, University of Ilorin, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Obafemi Awolowo University and University of Benin.
The ministry said the increase in the number of Nigerian universities featuring in the THE rankings demonstrated progress in strengthening institutional performance, research capacity and global competitiveness.
It added that the reform agenda was designed to promote evidence-based institutional performance and healthy competition across the tertiary education system.
Alausa has also directed the Nigeria Tertiary Education Ranking Advisory Committee (NITERAC), led by Prof Peter Okebukola, to commence the 2026 national ranking of Nigerian universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
According to the ministry, the national ranking is expected to stimulate healthy competition, improve institutional visibility and strengthen the capacity of Nigerian tertiary institutions to compete globally.