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.