Nigerian Universities Struggle in Global QS Rankings

For the third consecutive year, no Nigerian University has secured a spot in the top 1,000 of the Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings. 

The 2026 edition, released on June 19, 2025, saw only three Nigerian Institutions ranked: University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

In the ranking, University of Ibadan (UI) and University of Lagos (UNILAG) were ranked in the 1,001–1,200 band for both the 2025 and 2026 editions. While Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) appeared for the first time in the 1,201–1,400 range.

Challenges Faced by Nigerian Universities:

– Research Output: Nigerian Universities struggle with research productivity, impacting their Global Rankings.

– International Collaboration: Limited International partnerships and collaborations hinder Nigerian Universities’ Global Visibility.

– Employability Metrics: Graduates’ employability scores also affect the rankings.

African University Rankings:

– Egypt led the continent with 20 Universities on the 2026 list.

– South Africa had 11 Universities ranked.

– Tunisia had four Universities listed.

– Ghana and Morocco each had two Universities ranked.

– Kenya, Libya, Sudan, Uganda, and Ethiopia each had one university listed.

The QS World University Rankings assess Institutions based on eight key performance indicators, including Academic Reputation, Employer Reputation, and Sustainability. The top 10 Global Universities include Institutions from the US, UK, Switzerland, and Singapore, known for their research output, Faculty Reputation, and International Partnerships