University of Ibadan, Covenant University make top 1,000 list of global universities

In the latest release of the 2024 World Universities Ranking by Times Higher Education (THE), only two Nigerian universities secured spots within the top 1,000, a decrease from the three universities that held the position last year.

According to the ranking unveiled on Wednesday, Covenant University in Ogun State and the University of Ibadan in Oyo State are the sole Nigerian representatives within the top 1,000 bracket. Both universities were placed within the 800th to 1000th range. Following closely, the Federal University of Technology in Akure and the University of Lagos landed in the 1001 – 1200 spot.

In the subsequent ranking bracket of 1201 to 1501, additional Nigerian universities included Bayero University in Kano, University of Ilorin in Kwara State, and the University of Nigeria in Nsukka, Enugu State.

For this year’s ranking, THE World University Rankings reviewed submissions from 2,673 institutions. However, only 1,904 universities from 108 countries and regions met the criteria to be ranked. The remaining 769 institutions were designated as “reporters” for not meeting ranking criteria.

In total, 39 Nigerian universities submitted data, yet only 15 were featured in the rankings, leaving 24 with the “reporter” status.

As it stands, Nigeria has a total of 264 universities, with 51 being government-owned, 66 owned by state governments, and 147 owned by private individuals or organizations.