The Federal Government has praised Nigerian universities for their improved performance in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, describing the achievement as a sign that ongoing reforms in the education sector are beginning to produce meaningful outcomes.
In a statement shared on his verified X account on Saturday, Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa announced that 24 Nigerian universities secured positions in this year’s rankings. The figure represents an increase from the 21 institutions previously listed and places Nigeria as the most represented nation in Sub-Saharan Africa in the latest edition of the global assessment.
According to the minister, federal universities accounted for 17 of the ranked institutions, a development he linked to the government’s continued efforts to strengthen public tertiary education. He noted that the result reflects sustained investments aimed at improving teaching, research, infrastructure, governance, and overall institutional performance.
Alausa extended congratulations to institutions that earned international recognition, including the University of Ibadan, the University of Lagos, and Bayero University, Kano, alongside other Nigerian universities acknowledged for excellence in research and academic achievement.
The minister attributed the positive outcome to reforms being implemented under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He stated that recent progress demonstrates the effectiveness of policies designed to enhance the quality and global competitiveness of Nigeria’s higher education system.
He emphasized that the rankings represent more than international visibility, arguing that they serve as indicators of improvements resulting from investments in innovation, digital transformation, quality assurance mechanisms, and research development.
Alausa further revealed that an additional 27 Nigerian universities participated in this year’s evaluation process. He described the growing level of participation as evidence of increased commitment among institutions to benchmarking against international standards, promoting transparency, and pursuing continuous improvement.
According to him, the broader involvement of Nigerian universities in the assessment process signals a sector that is increasingly focused on raising performance and measuring itself against global best practices.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to educational development, the minister said the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) would continue to drive efforts aimed at repositioning universities to meet national development needs.
He noted that the initiative is intended to strengthen the capacity of higher institutions to produce skilled graduates, advance research, and foster innovation that can contribute to Nigeria’s long-term economic and social growth.
“The progress we are witnessing today reinforces our commitment to educational transformation,” Alausa said, adding that the government remains focused on ensuring Nigerian universities become centres of knowledge creation, innovation, and talent development capable of supporting the country’s future aspirations.
This version retains the facts while using a new structure, headline, paragraph order, and wording for stronger originality.
Nigerian Universities Record Strongest Showing in 2026 Global Rankings, FG Says
