Covenant University leads top-ranked varsities in Nigeria [FULL LIST]

Covenant University has affirmed its reputation in learning, research and innovation by emerging as the overall best Nigerian university in the Times Higher Education (THE) 2025 Rankings.

Times Higher Education is a reputed global assessment of university performances and rankings published annually.

In the 2025 edition, THE said it ranked more than 2,000 institutions from 115 countries and territories.

In the latest rankings, the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria displaced the University of Ibadan (UI) from the second place, the position occupied by the latter in the 2024 rankings.

Landmark University sits in third place, followed by UI, which now occupies the fourth spot, while the prestigious University of Lagos (UNILAG) completes the top five.

“We are thrilled by this recognition. Covenant University’s commitment to excellence in education and research has always been our driving force,” a Covenant University representative said in reaction to the rankings.

In the global context, Oxford holds on to the top spot for the ninth time in a row, bolstered by significant improvements in industry engagement and teaching.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), climbed up to second place, overtaking Stanford, which dropped to sixth.

THE Rankings base their evaluation on 18 key performance indicators, assessing institutions across teaching quality, research environment, research impact, industry collaboration, and international outlook.

Covenant University excelled in these categories, earning the highest spot among Nigerian institutions.

Top 22 ranked Nigerian universities

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 of 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

Top 10 ranked universities globally

1. University of Oxford
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
3. Harvard University
4. Princeton University
5. University of Cambridge
6. Stanford University
7. California Institute of Technology
8. University of California, Berkeley
9. Imperial College London
10. Yale University