The Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT Minna) has achieved a remarkable milestone, climbing to the 7th position in Nigeria in the 2026 edition of the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. This advancement from its 10th position in the 2025 rankings underscores the institution’s sustained growth, academic excellence, and leadership among specialized universities of technology in the country.
According to the 2026 ranking released on THE’s official platform, FUT Minna is placed within the 1,500+ band globally, standing tall among top-performing universities across continents. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings assessed 2,191 institutions from 115 countries, using 18 performance indicators categorized under five major pillars: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry engagement, and international outlook. These metrics collectively provide one of the most comprehensive and credible assessments of institutional performance in global higher education.
Reacting to the latest ranking, the Vice-Chancellor of FUT Minna, Professor Faruk Adamu Kuta, expressed delight at the university’s progress, describing the recognition as “a product of resilience, innovation, and collective effort.” He noted that FUT Minna’s improved standing among the 51 Nigerian universities featured in the 2026 rankings reflects the institution’s continuous commitment to research excellence, quality teaching, and strong community engagement.
“It’s a joyous moment for us,” Professor Kuta remarked. “Climbing to the 7th position nationally reflects the hard work and dedication of our staff and students. It also reaffirms our position as the best specialized University of Technology in Nigeria.” The Vice-Chancellor further credited the university’s advancement to the collaborative spirit within the academic community and its ongoing reforms in digital learning, research collaboration, and infrastructural development.
In his forward-looking statement, the Vice-Chancellor emphasized FUT Minna’s ambition to climb even higher in future rankings. “We are not resting on our oars,” he declared. “Our goal is to be among the top three universities in Nigeria by the end of 2026. With God’s help, I hope to see FUT Minna emerge as the best university in Nigeria before the end of my tenure.” His statement reflects the university’s broader strategic vision focused on global competitiveness and technological innovation.
Times Higher Education (THE), a UK-based global education analytics organization, remains one of the most respected authorities in higher education rankings worldwide. The methodology employed by THE evaluates not just teaching and research output, but also measures the societal and industrial impact of each institution, especially through innovation partnerships and international collaboration.
For a university to qualify for inclusion in the THE rankings, it must offer undergraduate programs, conduct research across multiple disciplines, and have produced at least 1,000 research outputs between 2020 and 2024. FUT Minna’s consistent research activity, growing publication record, and international collaborations have strengthened its profile in meeting these global standards.
The university’s rise in ranking also highlights the success of its strategic focus on science, engineering, and technology-driven education, aligning with Nigeria’s national development goals in innovation and sustainable growth. Over the past few years, FUT Minna has expanded its partnerships with local industries, international research networks, and government agencies to promote applied research that addresses real-world problems.
Observers in Nigeria’s education sector have hailed FUT Minna’s achievement as a reflection of what focused leadership and academic discipline can accomplish within public universities. They noted that the ranking would further enhance the institution’s reputation, attract international collaborations, and boost student enrollment both locally and abroad.
As FUT Minna continues to set benchmarks among Nigeria’s technology-driven universities, its latest global recognition reinforces its position as a hub of innovation, academic excellence, and sustainable development research. The institution’s steady climb in international rankings serves as a powerful statement of Nigeria’s potential to compete at the forefront of global higher education.
