Covenant University has emerged as the best-performing African institution in the 2026 Times Higher Education Interdisciplinary Science Rankings, placing first in Nigeria, first on the continent, and 49th globally.
The results, published on Thursday on the Times Higher Education website, evaluate universities’ contributions to interdisciplinary science — a field that combines methods, traditions and knowledge from multiple scientific disciplines, and in some cases blends STEM with social sciences, law, economics, education, psychology and health-related fields.
According to THE, the second edition of the rankings assessed institutions across 11 indicators, including funding, research performance, facilities, administrative backing, academic reputation, publication output and overall success metrics. This year, 911 universities from 94 countries were rated.
Covenant University is the only African institution to appear in the global top 50. Cairo University, Egypt, follows as Africa’s second-highest-ranked institution at 69.
In Nigeria, 18 of the 30 universities that submitted data made the list. The University of Nigeria, Nsukka placed second nationally (161), while Landmark University, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and the University of Ilorin took the third, fourth and fifth positions, respectively.
Full Ranked List – Nigeria
Covenant University – 49
University of Nigeria, Nsukka – 161
Landmark University – 201–250
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology – 251–300
University of Ilorin – 251–300
University of Lagos – 301–350
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta – 401–500
Obafemi Awolowo University – 401–500
Federal University of Technology, Owerri – 501–600
Ahmadu Bello University – 601–800
Akwa Ibom State University – 601–800
Bowen University – 601–800
Delta State University, Abraka – 601–800
Ekiti State University – 601–800
Lagos State University – 601–800
University of Benin – 601–800
University of Calabar – 601–800
Federal University, Oye-Ekiti – 801+
Reporter Status (Not Ranked)
Babcock University
Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti
Federal University of Lafia
Fountain University
Godfrey Okoye University
Lead City University
Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria
Nasarawa State University, Keffi
Redeemer’s University
Rivers State University
Thomas Adewumi University
University of Delta
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