A recent global ranking of the top 50 Best Nigerian Universities for 2018 has just been released, and the result is quite different from what we saw last year.

It seems some universities that were not pleased with where they were ranked in 2017 have tried their best to ensure that they climb up the ladder to be ranked among the best.

According to uniRank’s (formerly known as 4 International Colleges & Universities or 4icu.org) ranking of world universities, the university that came first in Nigeria as at 2017, is no longer worthy of the title and as such, we have a new king.

No African university was able to make it among the top 200 universities in the world. In the continent, however, the University of Pretoria is the best, emerging 257 in the world. In the best 200 African universities, Nigeria has up to 38 universities ranking.

50 Best Nigerian Universities and World Ranking

1. University of Lagos (Global Ranking: 1135)

The university was founded in 1962 and it has close to 60 thousand students offering its undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

2. Ahmadu Bello University (1189)

Established in 1962, ABU is the largest university in Sub Saharan Africa. It has 12 academic faculties as well as a postgraduate school.

3. University of Ibadan (1311)

This University was founded in 1948 making it the oldest Nigerian university.  The university has 16 Faculties, 6 institutions, and 3 institutions.

4. University of Nigeria (1750)

The University began in 1960 in the city of Nsukka. It has provisions for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

5. University of Ilorin (2002)

Established in 1975, this university has 8 faculties and a post postgraduate school. The fifteen faculties and 60 academic departments.

6. Obafemi Awolowo University (2191)

Obafemi Awolowo University is one of the biggest in Nigeria with over 35,000 students running its undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The university has 82 departments and over 10 faculties.

7. Federal University of Technology, Minna (3438)

It was in 1982 that this university began. Today, it has 8 schools as well as a postgraduate school. The university is the best university of technology in the country.

8. Covenant University (3941)

This is a private university that was only established in 2002. The university is located in Ogun state and it has less than 10,000 students running its undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

9. Federal University of Technology, Akure (4129)

Founded in 1981, the university has Seven Schools including a School of Postgraduate Studies. More so, it offers pre-degree science programs, Short-Term courses, as well as University Advanced Basic Science programs.

10. University of Port Harcourt (4307)

It was in 1975 as a university college. Having grown into a university, the institution now has twelve faculties and it offers both undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Other Best Nigerian Universities are:

1.Landmark University (4332)

2. University of Benin (4681)

3. Federal University of Agriculture (4688)

4. Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (4945)

5. Lagos State University Ojo (4947)

6. Bayero University Kano (5138)

7. American University of Nigeria (5227)

8. University of Jos (5302)

9. Rivers State University of Science and Technology Port Harcourt (5428)

10. Federal University of Technology, Owerri (5538)

11. University of Uyo (5581)

12. Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka (5624)

13. Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto (5730)

14. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (5836)

15. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso (5918)

17. Babcock University Ilishan-Remo (5951)

18. Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko (6141)

19. University of Abuja (6190)

20. Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (6200)

21. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi (6241)

22. Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago Iwoye (6251)

23. Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti (6262)

24. Enugu State University of Science and Technology (6532)

25. Tai Solarin University of Education Ijebu-Ode (6561)

26. Kwara State University Ilorin (6710)

27. Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (6725)

28. Osun State University Oshogbo (7054)

29. University of Agriculture, Makurdi (7088)

30. Benue State University Makurdi (7239)

31. Nasarawa State University Keffi (7279)

32. Nile University of Nigeria Abuja (7339)

33. Ebonyi State University Abakaliki (7382)

34. Abia State University Uturu (7403)

35. Al-Hikmah University Ilorin (7488)

36. Federal University, Otuoke (7512)

37. Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University Katsina (7644)

38. University of Maiduguri (7658)

39. University of Calabar (7722)

40. Delta State University, Abraka (7761)

41. Federal University, Dutsin-Ma (7792)

Note: Webometrics uses multiple ranking factors based on academic web presence, research output including not only formal (e-journals, repositories) publications but also informal scholarly communication and the economic relevance of the technology transfer to industry, the community engagement (social, cultural, environmental roles) and even the political influences are all considered.

Also, the list of the Best Universities in Africa for 2017 was released. Check it out below, the university, their world rank, and the country.

 Best Universities in Africa

1. University of Pretoria (South Africa- world rank 257)

2.  University of Cape Town (South Africa- world rank 291)

3.  University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa- world rank    308)

4.  University of KwaZulu-Natal   (South Africa- world rank 339)

5.  University of Johannesburg (South Africa- world rank 370)

6.  Universiteit Stellenbosch (South Africa- world rank 546)

7.  North-West University (South Africa- world rank 548)

8.  University of the Western Cape (South Africa-world rank 783)

9.  University of Nairobi (Kenya- world rank 981)

10. The American University in Cairo (Egypt- world rank 1120)

11. University of Lagos (Nigeria- world rank 1135)

12. Ahmadu Bello University (Nigeria- world rank 1189)

13. Rhodes University  (South Africa- world rank 1242)

14. Cairo University (Egypt- world rank 1284)

15. University of Ibadan (Nigeria- world rank 1311)

16. Universiteit van die Vrystaat  (South Africa- world rank     1454)

17. Universidade Eduardo Mondlane   (Mozambique- world rank 1494)

18. Cape Peninsula University of Technology (South Africa- world rank 1541)

19. University of Khartoum  (Sudan- world rank 1579)

20. University of Nigeria (Nigeria- world rank 1750)

Nigerian Universities seem to be slipping farther down on the list. Judging from the ranking of previous years, things are not looking promising for the next ranking. Some people actually believe that by the next ranking in 2019, Nigerian Universities should be among the best 10 in Africa.