Nigeria leads sub-saharan Africa as 24 varsities make 2026 global rankings
The Federal Government has hailed the improved performance of Nigerian universities in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, describing it as evidence that the ongoing education reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda are yielding measurable results.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, in a statement, said Nigeria recorded its strongest performance yet in the 2026 rankings, with 24 universities earning global recognition, up from 21 institutions in previous years.
According to the minister, the achievement makes Nigeria the most represented country in sub-saharan Africa in the prestigious global ranking.
He noted that 17 of the ranked institutions are federal universities, a development, he said, reflects the Federal Government’s sustained efforts to strengthen public higher education through strategic investments and policy reforms.
Alausa congratulated the University of Ibadan (UI), the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Bayero University Kano (BUK) and other Nigerian universities featured in the rankings, describing the recognition as a collective achievement for the country’s higher education sector.
He said the improved rankings demonstrate what Nigerian universities can accomplish through commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and quality.
The minister further stressed that the rankings go beyond international prestige, saying they provide evidence that government investments in research, innovation, digital transformation, quality assurance, infrastructure, and institutional governance are beginning to translate into global recognition.
He also welcomed the participation of an additional 27 Nigerian universities in this year’s assessment, describing it as a sign of growing commitment among institutions to transparency, international benchmarking, and continuous improvement.
Alausa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming higher education through the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), being implemented under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
He said the initiative is aimed at ensuring Nigerian universities produce the knowledge, innovation, and skilled manpower needed to drive the country’s economic growth and future development.
The minister reiterated the government’s resolve to sustain reforms that will further enhance the global competitiveness of Nigeria’s universities.
