Nigeria has emerged as the most represented country in Sub-Saharan Africa in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, with 24 of its universities making the prestigious list. This places Nigeria ahead of South Africa, which has 13 universities featured, consolidating its growing influence in the region’s higher education landscape.
The latest Sub-Saharan Africa Insights 2026 report by THE reveals that a record 55 universities from 14 African countries are now ranked globally — a remarkable rise from just 12 in 2017. The report described the achievement as a “moment of celebration” for African higher education, noting that universities are improving not only in numbers but also in quality and international visibility.
Despite Nigeria’s lead in representation, South African universities still dominate in performance. Four South African institutions are ranked among the world’s top 500. The University of Cape Town remains Africa’s highest-ranked university, climbing to 164th globally , its best-ever position. The University of Johannesburg also achieved a major milestone by entering the top 400 for the first time, while the University of Pretoria returned to the 501–600 range after several years.
In Nigeria, the University of Ibadan (UI) and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) both entered the top 1,000 universities worldwide for the first time, each placed in the 801–1,000 band. According to THE’s breakdown, UNILAG led in research quality, Bayero University in international outlook, and Covenant University in industry engagement. These achievements highlight the diversity of strengths across Nigeria’s higher education system.
Reactions to the report have been positive across Nigeria’s academic community. Former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Peter Okebukola, hailed the development as a reflection of progress within the country’s education sector. He noted that the improved ranking of UI and UNILAG demonstrates the resilience and commitment of Nigerian institutions despite infrastructural and funding challenges.
At the state level, progress was also recorded. Ekiti State, for instance, saw three of its universities , Ekiti State University (EKSU), the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), and Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI), featured among Nigeria’s top 30 universities in the THE rankings, marking a significant step for state-owned institutions.
The Times Higher Education report emphasized that Africa’s rise is not just a story of numbers but of quality. It noted that as some global education powerhouses in Asia and Europe face funding and political constraints, African universities have a unique opportunity to build on current momentum by investing more in research, innovation, and international partnerships.
“The progress we’re seeing is not only in representation but in quality too,” said Phil Baty, THE’s Chief Global Affairs Officer. “This is a great opportunity to build on the momentum and make sure Africa’s universities are ready to drive innovation and development.”
Overall, the 2026 rankings mark a new era for African higher education. With Nigeria leading in representation and South Africa maintaining academic excellence, the continent appears poised for a stronger global presence , provided that institutions can sustain quality improvements and deepen international collaborations.
