Osun State University has climbed into Nigeria's top 20 universities, placing 19th among 312 institutions in the July 2026 edition of the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities, while also emerging third among the country's 68 state owned universities and 137th among 2,390 universities in Africa.

The university's Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji, confirmed the ranking in a statement, describing it as a reflection of deliberate investments in research, innovation, digital scholarship, international collaborations and quality teaching.

The ranking attributed UNIOSUN's advancement to a growing academic reputation, enhanced research visibility, and an expanding digital presence, reinforcing its standing as a leading state owned institution committed to global standards of teaching, research, and innovation.

Vice Chancellor Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye welcomed the result as a validation of the university's strategic vision and its commitment to building a globally competitive institution, attributing the rise to teamwork, resilience, and an institutional culture that prioritises excellence and purposeful service.

"This achievement belongs to every member of the UNIOSUN community. It reflects our shared commitment to excellence, innovation and continuous improvement. We have remained focused on strengthening our research capacity, enhancing our digital visibility and providing quality education that meets global standards.

"Being ranked 19th among all universities in Nigeria, third among state universities and 137th in Africa is a clear indication that our collective efforts are yielding tangible results on the global stage. These rankings affirm that UNIOSUN is increasingly being recognised as a research driven and globally competitive university.

"While we celebrate this milestone, we recognise that greater accomplishments lie ahead. Our aspiration is not only to sustain this momentum but also to position UNIOSUN among the leading universities in Nigeria and across Africa," Adebooye stated.

The Vice Chancellor also commended staff for dedication to research and scholarly publications, and acknowledged the contributions of students, alumni and development partners in sustaining the university's global visibility.

He reaffirmed the institution's commitment to improving research quality, expanding international collaborations and attaining greater recognition through credible global performance indicators.