Full List of Top 10 Best Universities in West Africa for 2026 Revealed as Nigeria Battles Ghana
- The 2026 Times Higher Education rankings placed the University of Cape Coast as the highest-ranked university in West Africa, with Ghana and Nigeria dominating the top 10 list
- Nigerian universities accounted for seven of the top 10 positions, reflecting the country’s strong presence in teaching and research across the region
- The rankings assessed more than 2,000 universities worldwide using indicators covering teaching quality, research output and industry income
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African universities are steadily securing stronger positions in global higher education rankings and this reflects growing research output, institutional reforms and international collaboration across the region.
West Africa, in particular, has recorded notable gains, with universities from Ghana and Nigeria dominating the latest standings.
Source: UGC
The 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings has released its latest order of the best ivory towers in the western part of Africa.
Originally, the rankings assessed 2,191 universities across 115 countries and territories, using indicators that measured teaching quality, research environment, research quality, industry income and international outlook.
How the rankings were determined
The Times Higher Education rankings draw on performance data across five core areas. Institutions are evaluated on teaching strength, research capacity and influence, engagement with industry and their global outlook.
Scores are aggregated to determine overall placement, with universities grouped into ranking bands.
Below are the top 10 universities in West Africa in 2026, listed in descending order, along with brief explanations of their positions.
1. University of Cape Coast, Ghana
The University of Cape Coast emerged as the highest-ranked institution in West Africa, placed in the 801 to 1000 global band. It recorded strong results in research quality and international outlook. Located near the Atlantic coastline, the university operates five colleges covering health sciences, education, humanities, agriculture and distance learning.
2. University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Nigeria’s oldest university ranked second in the region within the same global band. Founded in 1932, the University of Ibadan has maintained a strong research reputation over decades. It runs 16 faculties and hosts Africa’s largest postgraduate school, with enrolment evenly split between undergraduate and postgraduate students.
3. University of Lagos, Nigeria
Established in 1962, the University of Lagos also ranked in the 801 to 1000 band. It recorded one of the highest research quality scores among West African institutions. The university has 12 faculties and several specialised institutes, including a College of Medicine and a business school.
Source: Getty Images
Nigerian universities dominate mid-tier rankings
4. Bayero University Kano, Nigeria.
Ranked in the 1001 to 1200 band, Bayero University Kano operates two colleges and 11 faculties. The institution hosts multiple research centres focused on medical research, infectious diseases and population health.
5. Covenant University, Nigeria
Covenant University, a private institution founded in 2002, also placed in the 1001 to 1200 band. It recorded a strong industry income score and runs four colleges centred on leadership, engineering, science and social sciences.
6. Landmark University, Nigeria
Founded in 2011, Landmark University shares the same ranking band. The institution places emphasis on agriculture and entrepreneurship and operates four colleges across sciences, engineering and business disciplines.
7. University of Ghana, Ghana
The University of Ghana ranked within the 1001 to 1200 band. Established in 1948, it is the country’s largest public university and operates a collegiate system. It offers specialised programmes including nuclear physics and nuclear engineering.
8. Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria
Placed in the 1201 to 1500 band, Ahmadu Bello University was founded in 1962. It offers programmes across a wide range of disciplines and hosts research centres focused on tropical diseases and forensic biotechnology.
9. Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria
Established in 1983, FUT Minna ranked in the same band. The university focuses on technology-driven education through schools of engineering, agriculture, sciences and information technology.
10. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana.
KNUST completed the list in the 1201 to 1500 band. Founded in 1951, the university remains a major hub for science, engineering and applied research, operating six colleges across technical and social disciplines.
UTME 2026: JAMB releases registration guidelines
Legit.ng also reported that JAMB released detailed guidelines for the registration of candidates for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Prospective candidates are required to have a National Identification Number (NIN), an email address, among others.
Legit.ng reports that the JAMB 2026 UTME form will be on sale from Friday, January 31, 2026, until Saturday, March 8, 2026
Source: Legit.ng
