Only 44 out of the 264 Nigerian universities were featured in the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.
The rankings evaluate universities using a variety of indicators, including academic staff, student-to-staff ratio, international students, and gender ratio. These metrics help determine the quality of teaching and the broader impact of these institutions.
Among Nigerian universities, Covenant University (CU) secured the top position nationally for the second consecutive year.
However, its global standing fell from the 601–800 range in 2023 to the 801–1000 range in 2025. Similarly, the University of Ibadan (UI) dropped from second in Nigeria in 2024 to fourth in 2025, corresponding to a slip in its global ranking as well.
Ahmadu Bello University made its debut in the rankings, securing the second position nationally. Several other Nigerian universities also appeared on the global list for the first time.
Below is the list of the ranked Nigerian universities, along with their national positions:
S/N University Name National Position
1 Covenant University
2 Ahmadu Bello University Zaria
3 Landmark University
4 University of Ibadan
5 University of Lagos
6 Bayero University Kano
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 Ogbomoso
17 Lagos State University
18 Nnamdi Azikwe University
19 Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife
20 University of Port-Harcourt
21 Usman 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
