2025 Global Universities Ranking Excludes Nigerian Institutions from Top 1000

Quacquarelli Symond, in her latest 2025 World University Rankings, featured over 1,500 universities across 105 higher education systems.

QS, a prominent higher education analytics firm renowned for its annual world university rankings, assesses institutions based on criteria such as academic prowess, reputation, and global inclusivity.

Leading the pack is the United States, boasting 197 featured institutions, trailed by the United Kingdom with 90, and mainland China with 71.

For the 13th consecutive year, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology maintains its position at the summit.

In a notable ascent, Imperial College London climbs four spots to secure second place, while the University of Oxford and Harvard University claim third and fourth positions, respectively.

Rounding off the top five is the University of Cambridge.

Nigeria’s representation in the rankings comprises two universities, with the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos placing within the 1100-1200 bracket.

Top 10 Universities in QS World University Rankings 2025:

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, United States
2. Imperial College London, United Kingdom
3. University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
4. Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
5. University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
6. Stanford University, Stanford, United States
7. ETH Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
8. National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, Singapore
9. UCL London, United Kingdom
10. California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena, United StatesAfrican Universities in QS World University Rankings 2025:
    1. University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa (ranked #171)
    2. University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa (ranked #267)
    3. Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa (ranked #296)
    4. University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa (ranked #312)
    5. Cairo University, Giza, Egypt (ranked #350)
    6. University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa (ranked #354)
    7. The American University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt (ranked #410)
    8. University of Kwazulu-Natal, Pinetown, South Africa (ranked #587)
    9. Ain Shams University in Cairo (ASU, Cairo) Cairo, Egypt (ranked #592)
    10. Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (ranked #771–780)

    In 2023, the University of Ibadan, University of Nigeria, University of Lagos, and Ahmadu Bello University were recognised as among the best universities globally, according to the Centre for World University Rankings.

    The University of Ibadan emerged as the top-ranked university in Nigeria, placing 1,163rd globally.

    UNN was placed 1,784th on the worldwide ranking and second in Nigeria. ABU was ranked fourth nationally and 1,881st globally, whereas UNILAG was ranked third in Nigeria and 1,875th worldwide.

    In April 2024, Covenant University ranked as the best university in Nigeria for the second time, according to Times Higher Education’s 2024 rating, which includes 1,904 universities across 108 countries and regions. The University of Ibadan and the Federal University of Technology, Akure, followed closely as the second and third-best universities in Nigeria, respectively.

    [Punch]