The Federal Government has commended Nigerian universities for their improved performance in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, describing the achievement as evidence that ongoing reforms in the education sector are beginning to yield positive results.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, gave the commendation in a statement shared via his X account on Saturday.
According to the minister, 24 Nigerian universities made the 2026 global rankings, up from 21 institutions in previous editions, making Nigeria the most represented country in Sub-Saharan Africa.
He noted that 17 of the ranked institutions are federal universities, describing the development as a reflection of progress in strengthening Nigeria’s public higher education system.
Alausa congratulated leading institutions including University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, and Bayero University, alongside other Nigerian universities recognised in the rankings.
“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,” he said.
The minister said the improved rankings demonstrate that government investments in research, innovation, digital transformation, quality assurance, infrastructure and governance are beginning to receive international recognition.
He added that 27 additional Nigerian universities also participated in this year’s assessment, describing it as a sign of growing commitment among institutions to transparency, global benchmarking and continuous improvement.
Alausa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to implementing the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at ensuring Nigerian universities produce the knowledge, innovation and skilled workforce required to drive the country’s development.
Meanwhile, the latest rankings come days after Afe Babalola University emerged as Nigeria’s highest-ranked institution in the 2026 THE Sustainability Impact Rankings.
The university placed 72nd globally and became the country’s only institution among the world’s top 100 universities in the sustainability rankings.
Other Nigerian universities recognised in the sustainability assessment include Covenant University, Redeemer’s University, Landmark University, American University of Nigeria, Lagos State University, Babcock University, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Nile University of Nigeria, Obafemi Awolowo University, Pan-Atlantic University and University of Nigeria.
The ranking body said universities qualify for the overall sustainability rankings by submitting data for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17, Partnerships for the Goals, and at least three other SDGs.
It added that the 2026 edition featured universities from Mali, Nicaragua, Niger and Tajikistan for the first time, while the Philippines recorded the highest number of participating institutions with 160 universities represented.
