Covenant University in Ota, Ogun State, has been named the best university in Nigeria for 2025, according to the Times Higher Education rankings.
The private Christian university also ranks among the top 800-1000 universities globally, with an overall score of 34.5-38.1.
The university scored 23.1 in teaching, 25.0 in research environment, 51.0 in research quality, 53.9 in industry, and 47.2 in international outlook.
Covenant University held the same top spot in the 2024 rankings and has continued to maintain its position as a leader in higher education in Nigeria.
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) is the second-best in Nigeria, ranked between 1001-1200 globally. It scored 40.9 in international outlook, 12.4 in research environment, 55.7 in research quality, 23.1 in teaching, and 19.8 in industry, with an overall score of 30.7-34.4.
Landmark University, also a private institution, placed third in Nigeria and ranks in the 1001-1200 range globally. Located in Kwara State, it scored 17.3 in teaching, 18.6 in research environment, 60.5 in research quality, 20.7 in industry, and 32.7 in international outlook.
The University of Ibadan, which ranked second in Nigeria in 2024, dropped to fourth place this year. UI remains within the 1001-1200 global range, with scores including 42.5 in international outlook, 57.8 in research quality, 30.1 in teaching, and 20.9 in industry.
The University of Lagos ranks fifth in Nigeria, also within the 1001-1200 global range. Its scores include 42.4 in international outlook, 64.5 in research quality, 15.7 in teaching, and 21.5 in industry.
Globally, Oxford University remains the top university, followed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University. Princeton, Cambridge, Stanford, and the California Institute of Technology also feature in the top rankings, with Yale and Imperial College London rounding out the top ten.
Below is the comprehensive list of universities that made the rankings:
Covenant University
Ahmadu Bello University
Landmark University
University of Ibadan
University of Lagos
Bayero University
Federal University of Technology, Akure
Federal University of Technology, Minna
University of Benin
University of Ilorin
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Ekiti State University
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
Federal University of Technology, Owerri
Federal University Oye-Ekiti
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology
Lagos State University
Nnamdi Azikiwe University
Obafemi Awolowo University
University of Port Harcourt
Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto
Abia State University
Akwa Ibom State University
Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike
Ambrose Alli University
Baze University
Bells University of Technology
Benson Idahosa University
Bowen University
Delta State University, Abraka
Evangel University, Akaeze
Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun
Godfrey Okoye University
Lagos State University of Education
Lagos State University of Science and Technology
Nasarawa State University, Keffi
Niger Delta University
Nile University of Nigeria
Osun State University
Rivers State University
Thomas Adewumi University
University of Cross River State
University of Maiduguri
Veritas University, Abuja
