The University of Ilorin has recorded the highest research-quality score among Nigerian universities in the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

The university scored 69.4 in the Research Quality category of the 2027 edition of the global ranking, placing it ahead of every other Nigerian institution assessed on that particular indicator.

The latest Times Higher Education ranking was released on September 30, 2026, and covers 2,297 universities across 118 countries and territories. THE evaluates institutions using 17 performance indicators grouped into five broad areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry and international outlook.

UNILORIN’s 69.4 research-quality score was higher than the scores recorded by other Nigerian universities in the latest table, including the University of Lagos at 67.8, Bayero University at 66.5 and the University of Ibadan at 64.9.

However, the research-quality result should not be confused with the overall Nigerian ranking.

THE placed Covenant University, the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos jointly in the 801–1000 global band, making them the highest-ranked Nigerian institutions overall in the 2027 edition. UNILORIN was placed in the 1001–1200 band, alongside Ahmadu Bello University, Bayero University and Landmark University.

Within its 1001–1200 global band, UNILORIN recorded an overall score range of 33.3–36.3. Its other indicator scores were 21.7 for teaching, 14.5 for research environment, 20.9 for industry and 43.2 for international outlook.

The university has welcomed the research result as recognition of the work of its academic community.

UNILORIN’s University Ranking Implementation Project Manager, Professor Suleiman Folorunso Ambali, said research quality remained one of the institution’s strongest areas and indicated that the university would seek to translate that performance into greater international recognition.

The university also said its latest overall position represents an improvement from its previous placement in the 1201–1500 band.

Vice Chancellor Professor Wahab Olasupo Egbewole described the result as evidence of sustained academic work by lecturers, researchers, postgraduate supervisors and students whose research has contributed to the institution’s performance.

The latest ranking is not UNILORIN’s first recognition for research performance. The university reported earlier in 2026 that it had recorded strong results in the SCImago Institutions Rankings and the 2026–2027 U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings, including a first-place Nigerian position in aquatic science in the SCImago subject rankings.

The 2027 THE results nevertheless show that Nigerian universities have different areas of strength. While UNILORIN recorded the country's highest research-quality score, other institutions performed better across the combined indicators used to determine their overall global placement.

For UNILORIN, the latest result provides a strong research benchmark while leaving room for improvement in other areas of the THE framework as the university works towards a higher overall global position.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia