Lagos State University (LASU) has again been named the Overall Best University in West Africa in the 2026 UI GreenMetric Sustainable University Rankings, maintaining its regional lead for the fifth consecutive year. The university climbed to 493rd place globally among 2,016 universities from 110 countries, up from 760th in 2025—a jump of 267 places in a single year.
Global Climb and Regional Dominance
The 2026 result, announced at the UI GreenMetric Sustainable University Rankings 2026 Results and Awards Ceremony held in Baku, Azerbaijan, marks a total rise of 306 places from LASU's 2024 global position of 799th. The university has now topped the West Africa table in every ranking cycle since it first entered the system in 2022, including 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.
The UI GreenMetric ranking evaluates universities across six broad areas: Setting and Infrastructure, Energy and Climate Change, Waste, Water, Transportation, and Education, Governance and Digitalisation. LASU's steady improvement across these indicators reflects a sustained institutional effort to integrate environmental responsibility and green practices into its daily operations.
Recognition Beyond the Rankings
In August 2026, LASU received additional international recognition from the UI GreenMetric network. Its National and Regional Coordinatorship was renewed, and the university was elevated to Co-Chairmanship of key sessions at UI GreenMetric international events for the 2026/2027 academic session.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Ayodeji Olawunmi Badejo congratulated the entire LASU community on the achievement, stating that the result reflected the work of management, staff, students, and the various units and committees driving the university's sustainability agenda.
Context and Previous Statements
Previously, Legit.ng reported that the former Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, argued that public universities in Nigeria cannot achieve financial independence without charging students at least N1 million per year in school fees. Prof. Olatunji-Bello, who served as the ninth Vice-Chancellor of LASU, made the remarks while discussing how public universities can become financially self-sustaining without depending heavily on government funding.
