ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has praised Nigerian universities for achieving their best performance yet in the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, describing the accomplishment as proof that the Federal Government’s education reforms are producing tangible results.
Alausa disclosed this in a post on his X handle on Saturday, noting that 24 Nigerian universities made this year’s global rankings, up from 21 in previous editions, making Nigeria the most represented country in Sub-Saharan Africa.
According to the minister, 17 of the ranked institutions are federal universities, a development he said underscores the progress being made in strengthening public higher education in the country.
He congratulated the University of Ibadan, the University of Lagos, Bayero University, Kano, and other Nigerian institutions featured in the rankings.
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“Our Renewed Hope Education reforms are delivering measurable results. I’m pleased to see Nigerian universities record their strongest performance yet in the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
“This year, 24 Nigerian universities were ranked globally, up from 21 in previous years, making Nigeria the most represented country in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“Even more encouraging, 17 of those institutions are federal universities, reflecting the progress we are making in strengthening our public higher education system,” he wrote.
Alausa said the achievement goes beyond prestige, noting that it reflects the impact of government investments in research, innovation, digital transformation, quality assurance, infrastructure and governance.
“These rankings are not just about prestige. They are evidence that our investments in research, innovation, digital transformation, quality assurance, infrastructure, and governance are beginning to translate into global recognition.
“Even more encouraging, 27 additional Nigerian universities participated in this year’s assessment, demonstrating a growing commitment to transparency, benchmarking, and continuous improvement,” he added.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to implementing the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
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“Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we remain committed to the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), ensuring our universities produce the knowledge, innovation, and talent that will drive Nigeria’s future. The work continues,” he said.
The latest Times Higher Education rankings come days after Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, emerged as Nigeria’s highest-ranked institution in the 2026 Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Rankings. The university placed 72nd globally, becoming the country’s only institution in the global top 100.
Nigeria’s universities in the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026 are:
72nd
Afe Babalola University
201–300
Covenant University
Redeemer’s University
301–400
Landmark University
601–800
University of Lagos
801–1000
American University of Nigeria
Lagos State University
1001–1500
Babcock University
Federal University Oye-Ekiti
Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike
Nile University of Nigeria
Obafemi Awolowo University
Pan-Atlantic University
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
1501+
Al-Hikmah University
Bells University of Technology
Caleb University
Evangel University, Akaeze
Godfrey Okoye University
THE stated that institutions qualify for the overall rankings by submitting data for Sustainable Development Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) and at least three other Sustainable Development Goals.
The organisation also noted that the 2026 rankings featured universities from Mali, Nicaragua, Niger and Tajikistan for the first time, while the Philippines recorded the highest participation, with 160 universities represented.