Obafemi Awolowo University World Ranking 2026
Track Obafemi Awolowo University’s Webometrics world ranking history from 2018 to 2026. Nigeria’s leading federal university ranked 1,639th globally in January 2026 with strong research excellence indicators.
Obafemi Awolowo University Webometrics Ranking History (2018 – 2026)
| Edition | Year | Webometrics World Rank | Nigeria Rank | Africa Rank | Impact Rank | Openness Rank | Excellence Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2018 | 2018 | 2,267 | 3 | — | — | — | — |
| Jan 2019 | 2019 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — |
| Jul 2020 | 2020 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — |
| Jan 2021 | 2021 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — |
| Jul 2021 | 2021 | 1,503 | 3 | — | — | — | — |
| Jan 2022 | 2022 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — |
| Jul 2022 | 2022 | 1,385 | 3 | — | — | — | — |
| Jan 2023 | 2023 | — | 2 | — | 1,534 | 1,020 | 1,904 |
| Jul 2023 | 2023 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — |
| Jan 2024 | 2024 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — |
| Jul 2024 | 2024 | 1,543 | 3 | — | — | — | — |
| Jan 2025 | 2025 | — | 5 | — | — | — | — |
| Jul 2025 | 2025 | — | 5 | — | — | — | — |
| Jan 2026 | 2026 | 1,639 | 5 | — | 3,630 | 1,110 | 1,886 |
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), established in 1962 as the University of Ife and renamed in 1987 in honour of the eminent nationalist and statesman Chief Obafemi Awolowo, is one of Nigeria’s most distinguished federal universities. Organised into 13 faculties and home to a College of Health Sciences, a postgraduate college, and several research centres including the Atmospheric Research and Information Analysis Lab and the Drug Research and Production Unit, OAU has built a broad academic and research infrastructure that consistently places it among Africa’s most productive institutions.
In June 2018, OAU held a world rank of 2,267 in Webometrics — a figure that represented a strong improvement trajectory relative to earlier editions. By July 2021, the university had risen significantly to a world rank of 1,503, placing 3rd in Nigeria behind the University of Ibadan and Covenant University. The September 2022 edition confirmed further progress, with OAU reaching 1,385 globally and maintaining its 3rd position nationally.
In January 2023, OAU made an appreciable leap, climbing to 2nd place in Nigeria with an Impact Rank of 1,534, Openness Rank of 1,020, and Excellence Rank of 1,904 — the best sub-indicator performance in OAU’s recorded Webometrics history. By July 2024, OAU held a world rank of 1,543, sitting 3rd in Nigeria. The January 2026 editionplaces OAU at a world rank of 1,639 and 5th in Nigeria, with an Impact Rank of 3,630, Openness Rank of 1,110, and Excellence Rank of 1,886. The Openness score of 1,110 reflects OAU’s continued commitment to open-access publishing — a key driver of Webometrics rankings. Across multidisciplinary research rankings, OAU is consistently rated 3rd in Nigeria and within the top 1,600 universities globally across subjects including Biology, Environmental Science, Medicine, and Mathematics. For prospective students, research partners, and funding institutions, OAU’s sustained global visibility makes it one of West Africa’s most compelling destinations for postgraduate and collaborative academic engagement.
FAQ – Obafemi Awolowo University Ranking 2026
What is Obafemi Awolowo University’s world ranking in 2026? Obafemi Awolowo University is ranked 1,639th in the world in the January 2026 edition of the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities.
What is OAU’s rank in Nigeria in 2026? According to the January 2026 Webometrics ranking, OAU is ranked 5th among all universities in Nigeria.
What are OAU’s sub-indicator scores in Webometrics 2026? OAU holds an Impact Rank of 3,630, an Openness Rank of 1,110, and an Excellence Rank of 1,886 in the January 2026 edition.
When was Obafemi Awolowo University founded? The university was established in 1962 as the University of Ife and renamed Obafemi Awolowo University in 1987.
What is OAU’s best-ever Webometrics ranking? OAU’s strongest recorded Webometrics position was 2nd in Nigeria in January 2023, with a world rank in the 1,300–1,400 range and its best-ever sub-indicator scores across Impact, Openness, and Excellence.
Is Obafemi Awolowo University a public or private university? OAU is a federal government-owned public university located in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
How does OAU compare to other Nigerian universities in Webometrics 2026? In the January 2026 ranking, OAU places 5th in Nigeria, behind the University of Ibadan (1,138), University of Lagos (1,215), University of Nigeria Nsukka (1,281), and Covenant University Ota (1,395).
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