UNILAG Emerges First in Nigeria in 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has been ranked first in Nigeria in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, released on Thursday, October 9, 2025.

According to the results, UNILAG shares the top position nationally with the University of Ibadan, both placed in the 801–1000 range out of 2,191 universities evaluated globally. Covenant University and Bayero University, Kano followed, both ranked within the 1001–1200 band.

Beyond Nigeria, UNILAG’s performance places it alongside reputable global institutions such as the University of Cape Coast (Ghana), Alexandria University (Egypt), Cairo University (Egypt), Ain Shams University (Egypt), and Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (Mexico), among others.

The 2026 ranking assessed universities based on key performance indicators across five core areas: Teaching, Research Environment, Research Quality, Industry, and International Outlook.

Reacting to the news, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, expressed profound appreciation to the management, staff, students, alumni, and friends of the University for their collective commitment and contributions to this milestone.

She described the recognition as a testament to UNILAG’s unwavering pursuit of academic excellence, innovation, and global competitiveness.