Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Ado-Ekiti, has achieved a significant milestone in the newly released Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, climbing to 72nd place globally from the 84th band in 2025. This marks the third consecutive year that ABUAD has secured a position in the top 100 worldwide, making it the only Nigerian university to achieve this feat.
Ranking Methodology and Scope
The Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings, formerly known as the THE Impact Rankings, is the sole global ranking that measures how universities contribute to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2026, the rankings evaluated 1,646 universities from 116 countries and territories across 17 individual SDG tables and one overall ranking. The overall ranking is calculated based on an institution's score in SDG 17 ('Partnerships for the Goals') and its three best-performing SDGs, using only the categories for which the university submitted data and evidence. SDG 17 promotes collaboration among governments, the private sector, and civil society to achieve the SDGs through financing, technology transfer, capacity building, trade, and data sharing.
Top 10 Nigerian Universities in the 2026 Rankings
According to the latest THE Sustainability Impact Rankings 2026, the top 10 universities in Nigeria are:
- Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State – 72nd globally
- Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State – 201-300 band
- Redeemer's University, Ede, Osun State – 201-300 band
- Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State – 301-400 band
- University of Lagos (UNILAG), Yaba, Lagos State – 601-800 band
- American University of Nigeria, Yola, Adamawa State – 801-1,000 band
- Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Lagos State – 801-1,000 band
- Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State – 1,001-1,500 band
- Federal University Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), Ekiti State – 1,001-1,500 band
- Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN), Kano State – 1,001-1,500 band
Key Takeaways from the 2026 Rankings
ABUAD, founded by lawyer and philanthropist Afe Babalola, leads Nigeria in sustainability efforts. Private universities dominate the ranking, with seven of the top 10 institutions being privately owned. Covenant University, founded by Bishop David Oyedepo, remained in the 201-300 range, consistent with its previous performance. In total, at least 10 Nigerian tertiary institutions are featured in the 72-1,500 global ranking bands. The University of Lagos (UNILAG) earned a place in the 601-800 band, highlighting its contributions to the UN sustainable development goals.
Broader Context: Nigerian Universities in Global Rankings
Earlier, the Centre for World University Rankings (CWUR) released its 2026 Global 2000 list, evaluating 21,291 institutions. Only five Nigerian universities made it into the Global 2000, underscoring the competitive nature of international higher education rankings. The THE Sustainability Impact Ratings provide an additional benchmark for Nigerian universities to measure their impact on sustainable development.
