The Covenant University, a private Christian institution in Ota, Ogun State, once again emerged as the best varsity in Nigeria in the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) ranking.
The university which ranks 800-1000 in the world, has an overall score of 34.5-38.1, teaching score at 23.1, research environment at 25.0, research quality at 51.0, industry at 53.9 and international outlook at 47.2.
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Covenant University was rated 201-1000 in the world was the best tertiary institution in Nigeria in THE 2024 World Universities Rankings; accommodating 8,940 students then, and a gender ratio of 37:63.
The Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) is the second most ranked Nigerian university at 1001-1200 in the world. ABU’s international outlook is scored 40.9, while its research environment and quality ia at 12.4 and 55.7 respectively.
The university’s teaching score stands at 23.1, and industry is 19.8. the overall score is at 30.7-34.4.
Landmark University, another private tertiary institution ranked 1001-1200 in the world, is Nigeria’s third best. Landmark University located in Kwara State has an overall score at 30.7-34.4, teaching 17.3, research environment at 18.6, research quality at 60.5, industry at 20.7 and international outlook is at 32.7.
The University of Ibadan (UI) at 1001-1200 in the world is placed fourth in Nigeria. In 2024 rankings, U.I was Nigeria’s second best ranked university.
The university then had a student body of 41,269 students, and each staff member caters to 19.7 students, and interdisciplinary science research makes up 19 percent of its academic portfolio.
However, in 2025, it has an international outlook of 42.5 score, research quality at 57.8, industry at 20.9, and teaching at 30.1 to place fourth in the log.
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) follows suit in the ranking order placing 1001-1200 in the world and fifth in Nigeria. It has an international outlook of 42.4, research quality at 64.5, teaching at 15.7 and industry 21.5 scores.
Recall that UNILAG was fourth in last year’s ranking with the same rankingof 1001-1200 in the world.
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Bayero University, Kano is ranked 1201-1500 in the world and sixth in Nigeria, slipping a step below its 2024 placing.
In this year’s ranking, the university has an overall score of 25.2-30.6, teaching at 21.1, research environment at 9.5, research quality at 52.0, industry at 17.2 and international outlook at 48.8.
The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) is Nigeria’s seventh best ranked university, though place at 1201-1500 in the world.
It has an overall score of 25.2 -30.6, teaching at 24.5, research environment at 10.9, research quality at 43.4, industry at 18.8, and international outlook at 45.9.
Federal University of Technology, Minna is ranked 1201-1500 in the world and eight in Nigeria. Its international outlook stands at 41.9, teaching at 16.4, research quality at 47.6, while research environment and industry is at 8.2 and 16.5 respectively.
The University of Benin ranks 1201-1500 in the world and ninth in Nigeria, the position it had in 2024.
In 2024 the University of Benin was rated Nigeria’s ninth best tertiary institution with over 47,837 students, and a student-to-staff ratio of 25.8, while the female to male students’ gender ratio stands at 49:51. Interdisciplinary science research contributes to 25 percent of its academic output.
Its international outlook score in 2025 is 36.6, teaching score is 18.6, research quality at 50.6, and industry at 17.7.
The University of Ilorin is ranked 1201-1500 in the world, while it occupies the 10th position in Nigeria’s perking order. This is a four step slip from its 2024 sixth position.
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The University has an overall score of 25.2-30.6, teaching 15.9, research environment 9.3 research quality 48.7, industry 17.4 and international outlook of 40.2.
Oxford University is ranked the best university in the world, followed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In the third position is Harvard University.
Princeton University is the world’s fourth best tertiary institution, while University of Cambridge is place fifth globally. Stanford University is sixth, and California Institute of Technology of seventh.
The University of California is at the eighth position, followed by Imperial College, London and Yale at ninth and tenth position respectively.
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