THE Rankings 2025: Covenant University ranked best in Nigeria for 3rd consecutive time

Covenant University has been ranked as the best tertiary institution in Nigeria in the 2024 Times Higher Education (THE) World Universities Rankings.

The varsity secured a global position between 201-1000. At the time, the university accommodated 8,940 students with a gender ratio of 37:63.

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) is Nigeria’s second highest-ranked university, placing between 1001-1200 globally. ABU achieved an international outlook score of 40.9, a research environment score of 12.4, and a research quality score of 55.7. The teaching score was 23.1, the industry score stood at 19.8, and its overall score ranged between 30.7-34.4.

Landmark University, a private institution in Kwara State, also ranked between 1001-1200 globally, making it the third-best university in Nigeria. The institution recorded an overall score of 30.7-34.4, with a teaching score of 17.3, a research environment score of 18.6, research quality at 60.5, industry at 20.7, and an international outlook score of 32.7.

The University of Ibadan (UI) placed fourth in Nigeria and 1001-1200 globally in the 2025 rankings, a step down from its second-best ranking in Nigeria in 2024. UI’s student population in 2024 was 41,269, with a staff-to-student ratio of 1:19.7 and interdisciplinary science research comprising 19 percent of its academic portfolio. In 2025, UI achieved an international outlook score of 42.5, research quality of 57.8, teaching at 30.1, and an industry score of 20.9.

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) ranks fifth in Nigeria and 1001-1200 globally, maintaining its global position from 2024 but dropping one spot domestically. It scored 42.4 for international outlook, 64.5 for research quality, 15.7 for teaching, and 21.5 for industry.

Top 5 Universities in Nigeria (THE 2025)

1. Covenant University
2. Ahmadu Bello University
3. Landmark University
4. University of Ibadan
5. University of Lagos

Other notable institutions in the top 10 include Bayero University, Kano, and the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).

Full Rankings: Top Nigerian Universities (THE 2025)

Below is the comprehensive list of universities that made the rankings:

1. Covenant University
2. Ahmadu Bello University
3. Landmark University
4. University of Ibadan
5. University of Lagos
6. Bayero University
7. Federal University of Technology, Akure
8. Federal University of Technology, Minna
9. University of Benin
10. University of Ilorin
11. University of Nigeria, Nsukka
12. Ekiti State University
13. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
14. Federal University of Technology, Owerri
15. Federal University Oye-Ekiti
16. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology
17. Lagos State University
18. Nnamdi Azikiwe University
19. Obafemi Awolowo University
20. University of Port Harcourt
21. Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto
22. Abia State University
23. Akwa Ibom State University
24. Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike
25. Ambrose Alli University
26. Baze University
27. Bells University of Technology
28. Benson Idahosa University
29. Bowen University
30. Delta State University, Abraka
31. Evangel University, Akaeze
32. Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun
33. Godfrey Okoye University
34. Lagos State University of Education
35. Lagos State University of Science and Technology
36. Nasarawa State University, Keffi
37. Niger Delta University
38. Nile University of Nigeria
39. Osun State University
40. Rivers State University
41. Thomas Adewumi University
42. University of Cross River State
43. University of Maiduguri
44. Veritas University, Abuja