UNILAG Ranks 1st in Nigeria in 2026 THE World University Rankings
In the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has been ranked **1st among Nigerian universities**, sharing the top national spot. UNILAG appears in the 801-1000 band globally out of over 2,191 institutions evaluated.
Quick Insight: UNILAG is tied with the University of Ibadan for the top spot in Nigeria, with other institutions like Covenant University and Bayero University, Kano following in subsequent bands.
1. What the Ranking Measures
• Metrics include teaching quality, research output, research environment, industry impact, and international outlook.
• Institutions are evaluated on both quantity and quality of publications, staff-to-student ratio, and global collaborations.
• The international outlook also considers how diverse the institution’s staff and students are, and how globally connected the research is.
2. Significance for UNILAG & Nigerian Universities
• This recognition enhances UNILAG’s reputation internationally, making it more attractive for partnerships, research funding, and high quality academic talent.
• Being top-ranked among Nigerian universities underscores excellence in research and teaching in a national context.
• Other universities in Nigeria may use this as a benchmark to strengthen areas like international partnerships and research infrastructure.
• It may also motivate increased investment in education, both from government and private sector, to improve university performance overall.
3. Challenges & Next Steps
• To maintain and improve ranking, UNILAG must continue strengthening research output and global visibility.
• Improving infrastructure, digital capabilities, and staff support is essential for growth.
• Quality of teaching must continually evolve alongside research.
• Nigerian universities should align more with global academic best practices, foster international collaboration, and invest in faculty development.
Global & Regional Impact
• Globally, UNILAG’s achievement signals that African institutions can compete meaningfully in top university rankings.
• It may encourage more international students and faculty to consider UNILAG and similar institutions.
• In the regional context, this brings prestige and may lead to collaborative ties with universities in other countries.
• Ultimately, it pushes the narrative that academic excellence in Africa is being recognized on the world stage.
