For the second year in a row, Covenant University (CU), a private institution in Ota, Ogun State, has been named Nigeria’s best university according to the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. Founded by Bishop David Oyedepo, Covenant University has maintained its top national position, ranking first in both 2024 and 2025.
Despite leading the national rankings, Covenant University’s global standing slipped, moving from the 601-800 bracket in 2023 to the 801-1000 range in 2025. Notably, Covenant is also the only Nigerian institution to make it into the top 1,000 universities worldwide, a significant achievement amid a decline in the number of Nigerian universities represented on the global stage. In 2023, three Nigerian universities made the top list, but the number dropped to two in 2024 and just one in 2025.
The University of Ibadan (UI), which once held the second spot in the 2024 rankings, dropped to fourth place in 2025, with its global standing falling from 401-500 in 2023 to 801-1000 in 2024. Ahmadu Bello University debuted as Nigeria’s second-best university in 2025.
Top 10 Nigerian Universities in 2025:
- Covenant University (801-1000)
- Ahmadu Bello University (1001-1200)
- Landmark University (1001-1200)
- University of Ibadan (1001-1200)
- University of Lagos (1001-1200)
- Bayero University (1201-1500)
- Federal University of Technology Akure (1201-1500)
- Federal University of Technology, Minna (1201-1500)
- University of Benin (1201-1500)
- University of Ilorin (1201-1500)
The Times Higher Education rankings assess universities across various criteria, focusing on teaching, research, and impact. In particular, research quality, teaching environment, and international outlook carry the most weight, while industry contributions, such as innovations and patents, are also considered.
Covenant University’s consistent national dominance underscores its commitment to academic excellence and research, even as Nigerian universities face increasing competition in the global arena.
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