Covenant University, located in Ota, Ogun State, has emerged as the top-ranked university in Nigeria according to the 2025 edition of the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings.
The private institution leads the list of 25 best universities in Nigeria, reflecting its consistent academic excellence, research output, and international outlook. Following closely behind Covenant University are Ahmadu Bello University, Landmark University, and the University of Ibadan, which round out the top four.
Here is the full list of Nigeria’s top 25 universities in the 2025 ranking:
1. Covenant University, Ogun State
2. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
3. Landmark University, Kwara State
4. University of Ibadan, Oyo State
5. University of Lagos, Lagos State
6. Bayero University, Kano
7. Federal University of Technology, Akure
8. Federal University of Technology, Minna
9. University of Benin, Edo State
10. University of Ilorin, Kwara State
11. University of Nigeria, Nsukka
12. Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti
13. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
14. Federal University of Technology, Owerri
15. Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State
16. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso
17. Lagos State University, Lagos
18. Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
19. Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
20. University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State
21. Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto
22. Abia State University, Uturu
23. Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden
24. Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike
25. Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma
The ranking assesses universities based on teaching, research, citations, international outlook, and industry income. It highlights both federal and state institutions, as well as private universities, underscoring the growing diversity and competitiveness of Nigeria’s higher education landscape.
