By Gift ChapiOdekina, Abuja

The Nigerian Universities Ranking Advisory Committee (NURAC) has commended the Nigerian university system for its remarkable improvement in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject, released on January 21.

For the first time, 24 Nigerian universities featured in the global rankings, making Nigeria the most represented country in Sub-Saharan Africa.

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

Reflecting on the results, Chairman of NURAC and former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Emeritus Peter Okebukola, described the performance as “a testament to the resilience and burgeoning academic prowess of Nigeria,” noting that Nigerian institutions are increasingly breaking into elite global tiers across diverse disciplines.

In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Okebukola said the achievement comes at a time when the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has significantly improved the welfare package of university staff and outlined plans to enhance teaching, learning and research environments in Nigerian universities.

He added that the feat also builds on gains made under previous administrations, acknowledging the contributions of Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, a former Executive Secretary of the NUC.

The statement explained that to be ranked in a specific subject for 2026, universities were required to meet two main criteria: a publication threshold—minimum numbers of research papers published in the subject over the last five years (for example, 500 for Engineering and 100 for Law)—and a staff threshold, involving a minimum percentage or number of academic staff in the relevant field.

According to Okebukola, the 2026 rankings highlight a significant shift in global recognition of Nigeria’s professional programmes. Notably, the University of Ibadan and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, both ranked in the 301–400 band globally for Law.

In Medical and Health, the University of Ibadan retained its position in the 301–400 band, followed by the University of Lagos in the 401–500 category. Other institutions, including Ahmadu Bello University, Bayero University Kano, the University of Benin, the University of Jos and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, ranked within the 601–800 band. Babcock University, Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Ilorin featured in the 801–1,000 band, while LAUTECH, Lagos State University, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, the University of Calabar and the University of Port Harcourt appeared in the 1,000-plus category.

Okebukola noted further that Nigerian institutions also demonstrated strong performance in Computer Science, led by Landmark University in the 501–600 band, followed by Covenant University and the University of Ilorin in the 601–800 range.

In the Physical Sciences, the Federal University of Technology, Minna; Landmark University; and the University of Ilorin secured places in the 601–800 band. Covenant University, FUTA, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and the University of Calabar ranked in the 801–1,000 group, while several others featured across higher bands.

Social Sciences remained a strong area for Nigeria, with Covenant University and the University of Ibadan ranked in the 501–600 band. The University of Lagos placed in the 601–800 category, while Landmark University, Obafemi Awolowo University, the University of Ilorin and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka featured in the 801–1,000 band. Several others ranked in the 1,000-plus category.

In Psychology, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka emerged as Nigeria’s sole representative, ranking in the 501–600 band.

Okebukola also highlighted competitive performances in Arts and Humanities, where the University of Ibadan and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka led in the 601–800 band, and in Business and Economics, where Covenant University, FUTA, Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Ilorin all placed within the same global bracket.

In Engineering, Covenant University, LAUTECH, Landmark University and the University of Ilorin featured in the 801–1,000 band, followed by institutions such as Bayero University Kano, FUTA and the University of Lagos in the 1,001–1,250 range.

He explained that the rankings are based on one of the world’s most rigorous evaluation frameworks, using 18 performance indicators grouped into five pillars: Teaching, Research Environment, Research Quality, International Outlook and Industry Income. The methodology is tailored to each subject area to ensure fairness.

“The data speaks for itself,” Okebukola said. “Nigerian universities are no longer just participating; they are competing at a level that commands global respect. We are seeing a new era in which Nigerian research in law, medicine and the sciences is influencing global scholarship.”

He assured that NURAC would continue to work with the NUC to sustain the upward trajectory, while also calling for further investments in research infrastructure, stronger global partnerships, enhanced university–industry linkages and adequate funding support for NURAC’s 2022–2030 strategic plan.

NURAC is a strategic advisory body dedicated to improving the global visibility and ranking performance of Nigerian universities through data-driven analysis and collaboration.