5 Nigerian University Debutants on THE World Rankings 2027

Five Nigerian universities made their debut in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for 2027, which was released on September 30, 2026.

The debutants are Osun State University (UNIOSUN), University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Kwara State University (KASU), and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU).

None of the aforementioned institutions has ever made it to the list of THE World University Rankings.

UNIOSUN is the best-ranked institution among the new entrants. It made it to the top 10 among the 29 Nigerian universities that made THE World Ranking in 2027.

Full List of Ranked Nigerian Universities New Entrants

1. Osun State University (1201-1400): Ranked 9^th in Nigeria as well as the best state university in Nigeria
2. University of Maiduguri (1401-1600): Ranked 16^th in Nigeria
3. Olabisi Onabanjo University (1801-2000): Ranked 21st in Nigeria
4. Kwara State University (2001+): Ranked 27th in Nigeria
5. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (2001+): Ranked 28^th in Nigeria

NOTE: MOUAU made its first appearance in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings for sustainability in 2026, but made the THE World University Rankings in 2027 for the first time.

The Times Higher Education assesses research-intensive universities across five pillars, including teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook, and industry.