Abuja: The Federal Government says improved performance by Nigerian universities in the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings reflects ongoing education reforms. The Federal Ministry of Education stated that the achievement aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI). The ministry disclosed this in a statement on Friday by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Folasade Boriowo.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Boriowo highlighted that the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos ranked among Nigeria’s highest-performing universities in the latest global assessment. She also noted that Bayero University Kano emerged as one of the country’s top-performing institutions in the rankings. Nigeria increased its representation from 21 universities in 2024 and 2025 to 24 universities in the 2026 rankings, making it the most represented country in Sub-Saharan Africa in the latest rankings.
Boriowo explained
that 17 of the ranked institutions are federal universities, indicating progress in research, innovation, governance, digital transformation, infrastructure, and human capital development. The rankings also signaled the resurgence of public universities among Nigeria’s leading higher institutions. Boriowo quoted the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, as describing the rankings as evidence of reforms repositioning higher education for national development. He emphasized that Nigerian universities are strengthening their global standing through sustained investments in education.
The minister noted that the achievement reflected the commitment of institutions and stakeholders to advancing teaching, research, and innovation. Alausa described the rankings as credible international validation of efforts to strengthen institutions, improve governance, and promote academic excellence. He commended the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, Bayero University Kano, Covenant University, Landmark University,
and Ahmadu Bello University, as well as other ranked institutions for advancing teaching, research, innovation, and national development.
Alausa pointed out that Bayero University Kano’s performance demonstrated the growing spread of academic excellence across the country. He stated that the progress reflects the collective efforts of public and private universities and growing confidence in Nigeria’s higher education system. Boriowo noted that 27 additional Nigerian universities submitted data for assessment, despite not making the final 2026 rankings, which reflected an increasing commitment to accountability, institutional benchmarking, and global standards.
The minister reaffirmed education’s strategic role in national development and economic growth, noting that Nigeria accounts for about 28 percent of Africa’s fintech companies. According to him, universities remain critical to producing skilled manpower, research, and innovation needed for global competitiveness. On behalf of the ministry, Alausa exp
ressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for supporting ongoing transformation in the education sector. He also commended governing councils, management, academic staff, students, and other stakeholders for strengthening Nigerian universities. Alausa concluded that the ministry remains committed to implementing NESRI and other reforms to improve quality, expand access, and advance research and innovation.