Nigerian universities recorded a historic breakthrough in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject, released on January 21, with 24 universities making the global list for the first time.

The feat, which has been hailed by the Nigerian Universities Ranking Advisory Committee (NURAC), makes Nigeria the most represented country in Sub-Saharan Africa, signalling growing global recognition of the nation’s higher education system.

The rankings span 11 subject areas, including Arts and Humanities, Business and Economics, Computer Science, Education, Engineering, Law, Life Sciences, Medical and Health, Physical Sciences, Psychology, and Social Sciences.

Chairman of NURAC and former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Emeritus Peter Okebukola, in a statement on Thursday described the development as “a testament to the resilience and rising academic strength of Nigerian universities.”

Okebukola noted that the performance coincides with renewed government support for universities under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in staff welfare and plans to improve teaching, learning, and research environments.

He also said the gains build on reforms introduced by previous administrations, notably during the tenure of Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed as NUC Executive Secretary.

He explained that to qualify for the 2026 rankings, institutions had to meet strict criteria, including a minimum number of research publications in each subject over five years and adequate staffing in the relevant disciplines.

In Law, the University of Ibadan (UI) and University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) broke into the 301–400 global band, marking a major milestone.

UI also retained a strong showing in Medical and Health, ranking in the 301–400 band, followed by the University of Lagos in the 401–500 range. Several others, including ABU Zaria, BUK, University of Benin, University of Jos, and UNN, ranked between 601–800.

Nigeria also recorded strong performances in Computer Science and Physical Sciences, led by Landmark University, University of Ilorin, and Covenant University. In Social Sciences, Covenant University and UI placed in the 501–600 band, while UNN emerged as Nigeria’s only representative in Psychology, ranking within the same range.

Okebukola said the results reflect performance across THE’s five key pillars: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook, and industry income.

“Nigerian universities are no longer just participating; they are competing for global respect,” he said, while urging sustained investment in research funding, infrastructure, global partnerships, and university-industry collaboration to consolidate the gains.

NURAC reaffirmed its commitment to working with the NUC to ensure Nigeria’s upward trajectory in global university rankings is sustained. (The Guardian)