By JUMOKE OLAITAN

The Federal Government says improved performance by Nigerian universities in the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings reflects ongoing education reforms.

The Federal Ministry of Education said the achievement aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI).

The ministry disclosed this in a statement on Friday by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs Folasade Boriowo.

Boriowo said the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos ranked among Nigeria’s highest-performing universities in the latest global assessment.

She added that Bayero University Kano also emerged as one of the country’s top-performing institutions in the rankings.

According to her, Nigeria increased its representation from 21 universities in 2024 and 2025 to 24 universities in the 2026 rankings.

She said the feat made Nigeria the most represented country in Sub-Saharan Africa in the latest rankings.

Boriowo said 17 of the ranked institutions are federal universities, reflecting progress in research, innovation, governance, digital transformation, infrastructure and human capital development.

She added that the rankings also signalled the resurgence of public universities among Nigeria’s leading higher institutions.

Boriowo quoted the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, as describing the rankings as evidence of reforms repositioning higher education for national development.

According to her, Alausa said the rankings showed Nigerian universities were strengthening their global standing through sustained investments in education.

The minister said the achievement reflected the commitment of institutions and stakeholders to advancing teaching, research and innovation.

Alausa described the rankings as credible international validation of efforts to strengthen institutions, improve governance and promote academic excellence.

He commended the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, Bayero University Kano, Covenant University, Landmark University and Ahmadu Bello University.

Alausa also praised other ranked institutions for advancing teaching, research, innovation and national development.

He said Bayero University Kano’s performance demonstrated the growing spread of academic excellence across the country.

According to him, the progress reflects the collective efforts of public and private universities and growing confidence in Nigeria’s higher education system.

Boriowo said 27 additional Nigerian universities submitted data for assessment, despite not making the final 2026 rankings.

The minister said the submissions reflected increasing commitment to accountability, institutional benchmarking and global standards.

He reaffirmed education’s strategic role in national development and economic growth.

Alausa noted that Nigeria accounts for about 28 per cent of Africa’s fintech companies.

According to him, universities remain critical to producing skilled manpower, research and innovation needed for global competitiveness.

On behalf the ministry, Alausa appreciated President Bola Tinubu for supporting ongoing transformation in the education sector

He added that the ministry also commended governing councils, management, academic staff, students and other stakeholders for strengthening Nigerian universities.

Alausa said the ministry remains committed to implementing NESRI and other reforms to improve quality, expand access and advance research and innovation. (NAN)

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