Panel Excited As 24 Nigerian Varsities Make 2026 Global Subject Rankings

The Nigerian Universities Ranking Advisory Committee (NURAC) has commended the country’s university system for the remarkable improvement in the global rankings of some of the institutions in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject, released on January 21.

For the first time, 24 Nigerian universities were listed in the global rankings, making Nigeria the most represented country in sub-Saharan Africa.

The rankings cover 11 subject areas, including Arts and Humanities; Business and Economics; Computer Science; Education Studies; Engineering; Law; Life Sciences; Medical and Health; Physical Sciences; Psychology and Social Sciences.

Reflecting on the newly released data, Professor Emeritus Peter Okebukola. who is chairman of NURAC and former executive secretary of NUC, described the performance as a “testament to the resilience and burgeoning academic prowess of Nigeria,” noting that the nation’s institutions are increasingly breaking into elite global tiers across a diverse range of disciplines.

According to a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, Okebukola said this came at a time when the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government had given a massive boost to the welfare package of university staff and planned improvements in the teaching, learning and research environments in our universities.

He also stated that the feat recorded was in building on the gains of previous administrations, noting the impact of Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed as former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

According to Okebukola, “The 2026 rankings highlight a significant shift in global recognition for Nigeria’s professional programmes. Most notably, the University of Ibadan and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka have broken into the top 400 worldwide for Law, both placing in the prestigious 301–400 band.

“In the field of Medical and Health, the University of Ibadan maintains its position as a global leader in the 301–400 band, followed by the University of Lagos in the 401–500 bracket.

“Other medical powerhouses include Ahmadu Bello University, Bayero University Kano, the University of Benin, the University of Jos, and the University of Nigeria Nsukka, all ranking within the 601–800 band globally, while institutions like Babcock, OAU, and University of Ilorin secured spots in the 801–1,000 range. LAUTECH; LASU; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; University of Calabar; and University of Port Harcourt earned spots in the 1000+ band.”

Speaking further, Okebukola noted that Nigeria’s technological institutions have shown remarkable strength in Computer Science, led by Landmark University in the 501-600 band, with Covenant University and the University of Ilorin following in the 601-800 group.

“In the Physical Sciences, a strong cohort led by the Federal University of Technology Minna, Landmark University, and the University of Ilorin all secured placements in the 601-800 band.

“In the 801-1000 band are Covenant University, Federal University of Technology, Akure; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; and University of Calabar. In the 1001-1250 band are Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Bayero University, Kano; Federal University of Technology, Owerri; LAUTECH; and University of Lagos. Featuring in the 1250+ band are Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; Federal University, Oye-Ekiti; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife; University of Benin; University of Ibadan; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; and University of Port Harcourt,” he stated.

Okebukola stressed that these rankings are the result of one of the world’s most demanding evaluative frameworks, adding that universities must meet strict publication thresholds, such as publishing at least 500 papers over five years in STEM subjects or 100 in Law and Education.