Nigeria's higher education sector has recorded its best performance in the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, with 24 universities earning global recognition, up from 21 in previous editions. The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, described the outcome as evidence that ongoing reforms are producing measurable results.

The improved showing makes Nigeria the most represented country in Sub Saharan Africa in the rankings. Of the 24 institutions featured, 17 are federal universities, a development the minister said reflects sustained government investment in strengthening public higher education.

Among the institutions recognised are the University of Ibadan, the University of Lagos, Bayero University Kano, Covenant University, Landmark University, and Ahmadu Bello University. The University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos ranked among Nigeria's highest performing institutions, while Bayero University Kano emerged as one of the country's top performers. Alausa described Bayero University Kano's result as evidence of the growing spread of academic excellence beyond traditional strongholds.

Attributing the achievement to reforms under President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda and the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative, the minister stated, "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."

He added: "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."

Alausa noted that the rankings reflect improvements across research, innovation, digital transformation, quality assurance, infrastructure, and institutional governance, stressing that the results go beyond prestige. "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 stated.

The minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to NESRI as the primary vehicle for repositioning Nigerian universities to produce skilled graduates, research output, and innovation capable of driving national development. "Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we remain committed to the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative, ensuring our universities produce the knowledge, innovation, and talent that will drive Nigeria's future. The work continues," he added.