UI Beats UNILAG, UNN To Emerge Nigeria’s Highest-ranked University Globally

Wednesday August 19, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng

The University of Ibadan (UI) has overtaken the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and the University of Nigeria (UNN) to emerge as Nigeria’s highest-ranked university in the July 2026 Webometrics Ranking of World Universities.

The latest edition assessed 32,148 universities and higher education institutions worldwide, placing UI 1,291st globally and first among Nigerian institutions.

UNILAG followed in second place nationally with a global ranking of 1,355, while UNN secured third position in Nigeria and 1,397th worldwide.

Covenant University, Ota, ranked fourth in Nigeria and 1,522nd globally, followed by Landmark University at 1,659th and the University of Ilorin at 1,883rd.

Other institutions among Nigeria’s top 10 were Obafemi Awolowo University, Ahmadu Bello University, the University of Port Harcourt and the Federal University of Technology, Akure.

The Webometrics ranking is released twice a year and evaluates universities using measures linked to their online visibility, openness and research excellence. The indicators are designed to reflect institutions’ digital presence, accessibility of academic resources and research influence.

Globally, Harvard University retained the number one position, followed by Stanford University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the University of Oxford and the University of Washington.

The latest ranking places UI at the forefront of Nigeria’s universities, although the country’s best-performing institution remains outside the global top 1,000.

TheSUN