Nigeria Leads Sub-Saharan Africa in 2026 Global University Rankings

by Deborah Oladapo

Nigeria has emerged as the dominant force in Sub-Saharan Africa’s higher education landscape, with 24 universities making it into the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026 — the highest representation from any country in the region.

According to the newly released THE Sub-Saharan Africa Insights 2026 report, the region now boasts 55 universities from 14 countries on the global ranking list — a record jump from just 10 less than a decade ago. The report describes this as a “moment of celebration” for African higher education, noting that institutions are improving not only in quantity but in global reputation and research quality.

South Africa remains the top performer in terms of overall ranking positions, with the University of Cape Town achieving its best-ever global standing at 164th, while the University of Johannesburg entered the world’s top 400 for the first time.

For Nigeria, the University of Ibadan (UI) and University of Lagos (UNILAG) both appeared in the 801–1,000 band, marking their debut among the world’s top 1,000 universities. UI celebrated the achievement in a statement, saying the recognition “reaffirms the university’s long-standing commitment to excellence, innovation, and global academic standards.”

UNILAG’s management also hailed its inclusion, describing it as “a validation of decades of investment in teaching, research, and partnerships that advance both national and continental development.”

Other Nigerian universities, including Bayero University Kano, Covenant University, and Landmark University, featured within the 1,001–1,200 range, underscoring the country’s growing diversity in institutional quality.

Across the continent, Ghana increased its tally to four ranked universities, while Senegal made a debut appearance with Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, highlighting expanding participation from Francophone Africa.

THE’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, Phil Baty, said Africa’s growth in the rankings is a sign of structural progress, not just numerical increase. “We are seeing improvements in quality too,” he said. “This is a great opportunity to build on the momentum and make sure Africa’s universities are ready to drive innovation and development.”

Analysts say the development reflects a new phase in African higher education competitiveness, with Nigeria leading a broader regional resurgence. The report also noted that global higher education systems in the U.S., Europe, and parts of Asia are slowing in growth due to funding and policy challenges — giving African universities a chance to expand their influence.

With 24 ranked institutions and growing visibility in global research and innovation, Nigeria appears poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the continent’s academic future.