Nigeria has overtaken South Africa to become Sub-Saharan Africa’s higher education leader in the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, with 24 universities listed — the most in the region’s history.
In what education experts are calling a “turning point” for African higher education, Nigeria has emerged as the top-performing country in Sub-Saharan Africa’s university rankings, featuring 24 universities in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026.
This new record places Nigeria ahead of South Africa, which has 13 universities on the list — a symbolic shift in a region long dominated by South African institutions.
A Decade of Growth for African Universities
According to the recently released Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Africa Insights 2026 report, the continent’s academic landscape has experienced a great transformation.
From just 10 universities less than a decade ago, the region now boasts 55 institutions across 14 countries, marking its strongest global representation ever.
“This is a moment of celebration,” the report stated. “African universities are improving not just in numbers, but in quality, research, and global visibility.”
South Africa Retains Performance Strength
While Nigeria leads in representation, the reports state that South Africa remains a powerhouse in performance. This comes as the University of Cape Town reached its highest-ever position at 164th globally, maintaining its place as Africa’s best-ranked university. While the University of Johannesburg made a landmark entry into the global top 400, the University of Pretoria returned to the 501–600 range after a brief absence.
Nigeria’s Rising Stars in Global Academia
For Nigeria, this ranking signals a major leap in global academic visibility as both the University of Ibadan (UI) and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) entered the top 1,000 universities for the first time. The report also revealed that UI topped Nigeria’s domestic university rankings for 2026, moving from fourth place last year to first.
Other notable mentions include Bayero University, Covenant University, and Landmark University, all appearing in the 1001–1200 global band.
West, East, and Francophone Africa on the Rise
Beyond Nigeria and South Africa, Ghana, Uganda, and Senegal are making waves.
Ghana now boasts four ranked universities, led by the University of Cape Coast, while Makerere University in Uganda remains East Africa’s most consistent performer.
A standout success comes from Senegal, where Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar made its debut in the rankings — a milestone for Francophone Africa’s academic recognition.
Top 10 Universities in Sub-Saharan Africa (2026)
- University of Cape Town (=164 globally)
- Stellenbosch University (301–350)
- University of the Witwatersrand (301–350)
- University of Johannesburg (351–400)
- University of KwaZulu-Natal (501–600)
- University of Pretoria (501–600)
- University of the Western Cape (601–800)
- Makerere University (801–1,000)
- University of Cape Coast (801–1,000)
- University of Ibadan / University of Lagos (801–1,000)
Africa’s Academic Momentum and Global Opportunity
According to Times Higher Education’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, Phil Baty, the rise of African universities goes beyond numbers.
“We’re not just seeing improvements in representation — we’re seeing improvements in quality too,” Baty said.
“This is a great opportunity for Africa to build on momentum and ensure its universities drive innovation and sustainable development.”
The report highlights a global shift — as some Asian universities plateau and many Western institutions face funding cuts and political constraints, Africa’s growth trajectory is only just beginning.
Education as Africa’s Next Growth Frontier
For Nigeria and the wider continent, this recognition symbolizes a renaissance in education — one that connects academic achievement to real-world development.
From enhanced research collaborations to stronger community impact, African universities are positioning themselves as centres of innovation, creativity, and leadership.
The THE 2026 report reinforces what many already believe:
Africa’s time on the global academic stage has arrived — and Nigeria is leading the charge.
