Afe Babalola University Leads Nigeria in 2026 Global Sustainability Rankings

Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), has been named Nigeria’s top institution in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Ratings. The university secured a prestigious 72nd position globally, marking it as the only Nigerian school to crack the top 100 in this year’s assessment.

The annual report evaluated 1,646 universities across 116 countries, measuring how effectively institutions contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ABUAD distinguished itself with an impressive overall score of 90.8, with standout performances in the areas of climate action, poverty eradication, and the provision of affordable and clean energy.

On the continental stage, ABUAD stands as the second-highest-ranked university in Africa, trailing only the University of Johannesburg in South Africa.

Other Nigerian institutions also received recognition in the rankings:

Covenant University and Redeemer’s University were both placed in the 201–300 global band.

Landmark University appeared in the 301–400 category.

The University of Lagos was positioned in the 601–800 band.

Worldwide, the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom held onto the top spot, while Griffith University in Australia followed in second place.

The THE rankings provide a comprehensive look at how universities impact the world by addressing all 17 SDGs, which include critical issues such as gender equality, quality education, and sustainable urban development. To determine these rankings, officials examined a variety of metrics, including university research output, teaching practices, community engagement, and environmental management efforts.