The Nigerian Universities Ranking Advisory Committee (NURAC) has revealed plans to conduct a nationwide ranking of Nigerian universities in October 2026, aiming to provide an updated assessment of institutional performance across the country. The announcement was made by the Committee’s Chairman and former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola, in an interview with our correspondent in Abuja on Wednesday.
This development comes in the wake of the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026, which provided a global evaluation of universities using 18 carefully calibrated performance indicators, spanning teaching, research environment, research quality, industry engagement, and international outlook. THE’s methodology, widely regarded by students, academics, university leaders, and governments, is trusted for its comprehensive and balanced comparison of global institutions.
In the 2026 global ranking, the University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State, emerged as Nigeria’s top university, reclaiming the position it last held in 2023. The institution was ranked within the 801–1,000 band globally, surpassing other leading Nigerian universities and dethroning Covenant University, which had held the title of Nigeria’s best in 2024 and 2025.
Following UI in the national ranking are the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Bayero University Kano (BUK), and Covenant University (CU), occupying second, third, and fourth positions, respectively. This shows a shift in domestic university performance metrics and highlights a growing competitiveness within the Nigerian higher education sector.
Professor Okebukola explained that NURAC intends for the upcoming ranking to serve as both a benchmark and an improvement tool. “On the first question regarding the next national ranking of Nigerian universities, NURAC is planning the next one for October 2026. Please recall that NURAC conducted the last one in 2024, and our ranking had a high correlation with the ranking of Nigerian universities on global league tables in 2025,” he said.
According to the former Chairman of the Governing Council of the National Open University of Nigeria, there are currently no bottlenecks preventing the execution of the 2026 ranking. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to align domestic university performance with global standards, ensuring Nigerian institutions remain competitive internationally.
NURAC convened on October 16, 2025, to deliberate on Nigeria’s performance in the 2026 THE World University Rankings and to strategize for further improvements in the 2027 edition. Professor Okebukola noted that the committee resolved to forward an Aide Mémoire to the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Honourable Minister of Education, detailing actionable measures to enhance both global rankings and the overall quality of university delivery.
The committee emphasised that the ranking is not solely about global positioning but also about improving the quality of teaching, research output, and institutional governance. NURAC’s approach will provide stakeholders with data-driven insights to identify areas of strength and weaknesses for Nigerian universities.
Historically, the National Universities Commission last conducted a ranking in 2021, evaluating 113 universities using 12 indicators. The University of Ibadan topped that ranking with 454.56 points, followed by Redeemer’s University with 384.96 points and Covenant University with 368.11 points, demonstrating a consistent pattern of excellence for certain institutions.
Experts believe that the upcoming ranking will further promote healthy competition among Nigerian universities and encourage policies that strengthen academic research, industry linkages, and international collaborations. Observers have highlighted that global benchmarking exercises, such as THE rankings, have already prompted universities to reassess curricula, teaching methodologies, and research priorities.
Professor Okebukola reiterated that the forthcoming ranking would act as a catalyst for institutional reforms. “We aim not only to track Nigeria’s universities on global scales but also to elevate domestic standards so that all stakeholders benefit from a more robust, research-driven, and globally engaged university system,” he said.
With the October 2026 timeline set, Nigerian universities are now under the spotlight, preparing to showcase their academic, research, and societal contributions. The exercise is expected to provide valuable insights for policymakers, educational planners, and university administrators, ultimately enhancing Nigeria’s higher education landscape and reinforcing its presence in global university discourse.
