UNIOSUN becomes Nigeria’s highest-ranked state university in THE debut

Osun State University has made its debut in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, emerging as Nigeria’s highest-ranked state-owned university in the 2027 edition. The university was placed in the global 1,201–1,400 band and shared eighth position nationally with Babcock University and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The ranking assessed 2,297 universities across 118 countries and territories, with 29 Nigerian institutions included.

The result was announced in a statement by UNIOSUN’s Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji. The statement said Nigeria was the most represented country in sub-Saharan Africa in the latest edition and that UNIOSUN ranked ahead of 19 older and larger Nigerian universities. UNIOSUN recorded a score of 25.6 in research environment, which it said was the second-highest result among the 29 Nigerian universities, behind Covenant University’s 32.5.

Its teaching score was 23.6, placing it fifth nationally. The university also recorded scores of 43.8 in research quality, 17.6 in industry and 40.3 in international outlook. The ranking report described research environment and teaching as notable strengths, while identifying research quality as an area requiring further improvement.

The Times Higher Education methodology uses five broad pillars: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry. The 2027 edition applied 18 performance indicators covering areas such as teaching reputation, research output, citations, international collaboration, industry income and patents. Only seven state-owned universities appeared among the 29 Nigerian institutions listed, compared with 19 federal and three private universities.

Vice-Chancellor Odunayo Clement Adebooye credited the Osun State Government and other stakeholders for supporting the institution and said UNIOSUN would pursue initiatives to strengthen its academic and research profile.