The Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN), Kano, has emerged as one of the fastest-rising private universities in the country, according to the 2026 AD Scientific Index released on Tuesday.
A statement issued with the ranking said Nigeria now has 310 universities, comprising 186 public and 124 private institutions. It added that the Index also evaluated 24 research institutes, five companies and two hospitals, reflecting what it described as “a deepening link between academia, industry and scientific research in the country.”
According to the report, private universities continued to record improvements in research output, faculty performance and international competitiveness despite persistent challenges such as inadequate funding and infrastructural gaps.
Covenant University, Ota, retained its position as the leading private university in the country, placing first nationally and 221st globally, with 16 of its scientists ranked in the top 10th percentile worldwide.
The statement described the performance as evidence of “the expanding influence of Nigerian private institutions in engineering, technology and applied research.”
It noted that one of the most significant shifts in this year’s ranking was the rapid rise of MAAUN, established in 2021, which placed second among private universities and 416th globally.
“This year’s results show a remarkable leap for MAAUN, whose strong research activities are positioning it as a new powerhouse among emerging private institutions,” the statement read.
It added that the university recorded seven scientists in the top 10th percentile, a development the Index said “reflects its growing research culture and academic ambition.”
Other private universities listed among top performers include Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti; Redeemer’s University, Ede; and Bowen University, Iwo. The institutions were said to be expanding postgraduate training, upgrading laboratories and strengthening international research partnerships.
Specialised institutions such as Landmark University, Omu-Aran, and Bells University of Technology, Ota, were also highlighted for their contributions to agriculture, engineering and applied sciences.
The African University of Science & Technology (AUST), Abuja, maintained its niche in advanced scientific research, while Babcock University was listed among key contributors to the national research landscape.
The Index noted that private universities were becoming increasingly influential in driving Nigeria’s research output at a time when many public institutions continued to grapple with funding limitations and intermittent industrial actions.
“With more institutions competing for global grants, attracting internationally trained scholars and integrating into global research networks, Nigeria’s private university sector is poised for greater academic competitiveness,” the statement added.
