NURAC Applauds Nigerian Universities’ Performance in 2026 Global Subject Rankings

By our Correspondent

The Nigerian Universities Ranking Advisory Committee (NURAC) has praised the Nigerian university system for its improved showing in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject, released on January 21.
For the first time, 24 Nigerian universities featured in the global rankings, making Nigeria the most represented country in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The rankings assessed performance across 11 subject areas: Arts and Humanities; Business and Economics; Computer Science; Education Studies; Engineering; Law; Life Sciences; Medical and Health; Physical Sciences; Psychology; and Social Sciences.
Commenting on the outcome, Chairman of NURAC and former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Emeritus Peter Okebukola, described the performance as “a testament to the resilience and growing academic strength of Nigeria,” noting that Nigerian institutions are increasingly gaining recognition within elite global tiers across multiple disciplines.
In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Okebukola attributed the achievement partly to recent policy interventions, stating that the results are coming at a time when the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has enhanced the welfare package of university staff and outlined plans to improve teaching, learning, and research environments in Nigerian universities.
He added that the progress also builds on reforms initiated by previous administrations, particularly highlighting the contributions of Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed during his tenure as Executive Secretary of the NUC.
According to the statement, universities were required to meet two major criteria to be ranked in any subject for 2026: a publication threshold—requiring a minimum number of research papers published in the subject over the past five years (for example, 500 papers for Engineering and 100 for Law); and a staff threshold—requiring a minimum number or percentage of academic staff in the relevant field.
Okebukola noted that the 2026 rankings signal a major shift in global recognition for Nigeria’s professional programmes. He said the University of Ibadan and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka both entered the top 400 globally in Law, ranking within the 301–400 band.
In Medical and Health, the University of Ibadan retained its position in the 301–400 band, followed by the University of Lagos in the 401–500 category. Other institutions such as Ahmadu Bello University, Bayero University Kano, the University of Benin, the University of Jos, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka ranked within the 601–800 band. Babcock University, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), and the University of Ilorin placed in the 801–1,000 range, while LAUTECH, Lagos State University (LASU), Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, the University of Calabar, and the University of Port Harcourt featured in the 1,000+ band.
He further observed that Nigerian universities recorded notable gains in Computer Science, led by Landmark University in the 501–600 band, followed by Covenant University and the University of Ilorin in the 601–800 range. In Physical Sciences, the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Landmark University, and the University of Ilorin all ranked in the 601–800 band.
Covenant University, the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and the University of Calabar featured in the 801–1,000 category. Ahmadu Bello University, Bayero University Kano, the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, LAUTECH, and the University of Lagos appeared in the 1,001–1,250 band, while institutions such as the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; Federal University, Oye-Ekiti; Obafemi Awolowo University; University of Benin; University of Ibadan; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; and the University of Port Harcourt ranked in the 1,250+ band.
Okebukola also noted that Social Sciences remain a strong area for Nigeria, with Covenant University and the University of Ibadan ranked in the 501–600 band. The University of Lagos placed in the 601–800 range, while Landmark University, Obafemi Awolowo University, the University of Ilorin, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka ranked in the 801–1,000 category. Institutions in the 1,000+ band include Ahmadu Bello University, Delta State University, Abraka; Federal University, Oye-Ekiti; LASU; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; and the University of Calabar. He added that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka was the only Nigerian university ranked in Psychology, placing in the 501–600 band.
In Arts and Humanities, the University of Ibadan and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka led Nigeria’s representation in the 601–800 band. In Business and Economics, Covenant University, the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Obafemi Awolowo University, and the University of Ilorin all ranked within the 601–800 global bracket.
In Engineering, Covenant University, LAUTECH, Landmark University, and the University of Ilorin featured in the 801–1,000 band, while a larger group including Bayero University Kano, the Federal University of Technology, Akure, and the University of Lagos appeared in the 1,001–1,250 range.
Professor Okebukola emphasised that the rankings are based on one of the most rigorous evaluation systems globally. The THE Subject Rankings use 18 performance indicators grouped into five pillars: Teaching (Learning Environment) at about 30 per cent; Research Environment at approximately 29 per cent; Research Quality at about 30 per cent; International Outlook at 7.5 per cent; and Industry Income (Knowledge Transfer) at 4 per cent.
He explained that the methodology is adjusted for each subject area, with greater emphasis on indicators such as industry income for Engineering, while strict publication thresholds—such as at least 500 papers over five years for STEM disciplines or 100 for Law and Education—are enforced.
“The data speaks for itself,” Okebukola said. “Nigerian universities are no longer merely participating; they are competing at a level that commands global respect. Nigerian research in Law, Medicine, and the Sciences is increasingly shaping global discourse. However, sustained effort is required.”
He assured that NURAC will continue to collaborate with the National Universities Commission to ensure sustained progress in global rankings.
Okebukola also commended all institutions that participated in the rankings, noting that inclusion itself reflects commitment to research productivity, teaching excellence, international collaboration, and impact.
NURAC is a strategic body focused on enhancing the global visibility and ranking performance of Nigerian universities through data-driven advisory services.
While celebrating the achievements, NURAC identified areas for further improvement, including increased investment in research infrastructure and grants, expanded partnerships with leading global universities, stronger university–industry linkages to boost research commercialisation and industry income, and adequate funding to enable NURAC to implement its 2022–2030 strategic plan.
The committee comprises Professor Emeritus Peter A. Okebukola, OFR (Chairman); Professor Olanrewaju Adigun Fagbohun, SAN (South West); Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba (South East); Professor Joseph Ajienka (South South); Professor Jibrila Dahiru Amin (North East); Professor Muhammad Yahuza Bello (North West); Professor Angela Miri (North Central); and Dr. Biodun Saliu, representing the Executive Secretary of the NUC.