FG lauds UI, UNILAG, others over world university rankings
June 28, 2026 6:57 am
File: Education minister, Tunji Alausa
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has applauded Nigerian universities for recording their strongest performance yet in the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, describing the feat as evidence that the Federal Government’s education reforms are yielding measurable results.
Alausa made this known in a post on his X handle on Saturday, noting that 24 Nigerian universities were ranked globally this year, an increase 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, which he said reflects the progress being made in strengthening the country’s public higher education system.
He congratulated the University of Ibadan, the University of Lagos, Bayero University, Kano, and 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.
“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 recognition was not merely about prestige but showed that investments in research, innovation, digital transformation, quality assurance, infrastructure and governance were beginning to earn global recognition.
“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 the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“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.
PUNCH Online reports that 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, placing 72nd globally and becoming the country’s only university in the global top 100.
Nigeria’s universities in THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026
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 said institutions qualify for the overall ranking by submitting data for Sustainable Development Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) and at least three other SDGs.
The organisation added that the 2026 rankings introduced universities from Mali, Nicaragua, Niger and Tajikistan for the first time, while the Philippines had the highest number of participating institutions, with 160 universities represented.
Samuel Omotere is an experienced journalist covering human interest stories, pop culture, and digital trends. He combines his background as a language graduate with a focus on sustainable digital storytelling.
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