LASU RETAINS NO. 1 POSITION IN WEST AFRICA, MAKES HISTORIC LEAP TO 493RD GLOBALLY IN UI GREENMETRIC 2026

Lagos State University (LASU) has retained its position as the Overall Best University in West Africa in the 2026 UI GreenMetric Sustainable University Rankings, while recording a significant improvement in its global position.

According to the 2026 ranking results announced at the UI GreenMetric Sustainable University Rankings 2026 Results and Awards Ceremony in Baku, Azerbaijan, LASU placed 493rd globally among 2,016 participating institutions across 110 countries.

The latest result represents a substantial improvement from the university’s 760th position in the 2025 ranking, marking an advancement of 267 places in one year.

The achievement further extends LASU’s continued presence at the top of the UI GreenMetric rankings in West Africa and highlights the university’s ongoing focus on sustainability, environmental responsibility, innovation and institutional development.

LASU RETAINS TOP POSITION IN WEST AFRICA

LASU’s 2026 performance continues the university’s established run as the No. 1 university in West Africa in the UI GreenMetric Sustainable University Rankings.

Since LASU first joined the ranking in 2022, the university has reportedly retained the top position in West Africa for five consecutive ranking cycles: 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026.

The continued regional position places LASU among institutions in the region that have maintained a sustained focus on sustainability-related policies, infrastructure, environmental management and other areas assessed under the UI GreenMetric framework.

The latest result also adds to LASU’s growing record in international sustainability rankings and provides another indicator of the university’s efforts to integrate sustainability into different aspects of its operations.

LASU CLIMBS TO 493RD POSITION GLOBALLY

One of the major highlights of the 2026 result is LASU’s movement in the global ranking.

The university reportedly occupied the following positions in recent UI GreenMetric rankings:

• 2024: 799th globally
• 2025: 760th globally
• 2026: 493rd globally

The movement from 760th in 2025 to 493rd in 2026 represents an improvement of 267 places within one year.

Compared with its reported 799th position in 2024, LASU has advanced by 306 places over two ranking cycles.

The 2026 global position places LASU among the 493 highest-ranked participating universities in the latest UI GreenMetric ranking, which reportedly included 2,016 institutions from 110 countries.

WHAT IS THE UI GREENMETRIC RANKING?

The UI GreenMetric World University Rankings is an international ranking initiative that evaluates universities based on their sustainability and environmental performance.

The ranking considers different aspects of campus sustainability, including the infrastructure and physical environment of participating institutions, energy use, climate action, waste management, water conservation, transportation and education.

The framework has evolved over time as universities and higher education institutions increasingly incorporate sustainability into their academic, administrative and operational activities.

The 2026 assessment covers key areas including Setting and Infrastructure, Energy and Climate Change, Waste, Water, Transportation, Education, and Governance and Digitalisation.

These areas provide a broad framework for examining how universities approach environmental sustainability and how sustainability principles are integrated into institutional policies and practices.

LASU’S SUSTAINABILITY PERFORMANCE

LASU’s latest performance reflects the university’s continued emphasis on sustainability and environmental responsibility.

The Setting and Infrastructure component considers issues relating to the physical development and sustainability of university campuses. This includes the use of open spaces, green areas and infrastructure that supports sustainable campus development.

The Energy and Climate Change component focuses on issues such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, carbon emissions and measures aimed at addressing climate-related challenges.

The Waste category examines how institutions manage and reduce waste, including recycling, waste treatment and other environmental management practices.

The Water category focuses on responsible water management and conservation, while Transportation considers sustainable mobility and transportation-related practices within and around university environments.

The Education component recognises the role of universities in incorporating sustainability into teaching, learning, research and wider academic activities.

The inclusion of Governance and Digitalisation also reflects the increasing importance of institutional systems, governance structures and digital approaches in advancing sustainable university development.

LASU’S CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The latest ranking is consistent with LASU’s broader institutional focus on sustainability.

The university has continued to develop policies and initiatives aimed at promoting environmental responsibility and integrating sustainability into its operations.

LASU’s sustainability policy, for instance, identifies the UI GreenMetric Ranking as part of the university’s sustainability framework and connects sustainability activities with the broader Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The university has also continued to promote sustainability-related activities through different faculties, directorates, units and institutional committees.

These efforts are relevant to the growing global emphasis on universities as not only centres of teaching and research but also institutions with responsibilities toward environmental protection, social development and responsible governance.

LASU’S ROLE IN THE UI GREENMETRIC NETWORK

Beyond its position in the ranking, LASU has also maintained an active role within the wider UI GreenMetric network.

According to the information contained in the university’s report, LASU received further international recognition in August 2026, with its National and Regional Coordinatorship renewed.

The university was also elevated to Co-Chairmanship of key sessions at UI GreenMetric international events for the 2026/2027 academic session.

These roles place LASU within the network of institutions and representatives contributing to discussions and activities around sustainable university development.

The university’s continued involvement in the network also provides opportunities for knowledge sharing, collaboration and engagement with institutions working on sustainability initiatives around the world.

A COLLECTIVE ACHIEVEMENT FOR THE LASU COMMUNITY

The latest UI GreenMetric result is not solely an achievement of one unit or department within the university.

Sustainability performance involves contributions from different areas of university operations, including management, academic staff, non-academic staff, students, facilities and infrastructure teams, research groups and sustainability-focused committees.

The university therefore attributed the achievement to the collective efforts of the Management, staff, students and various units and committees contributing to LASU’s sustainability agenda.

The result also demonstrates how institutional policies and day-to-day practices can contribute to a university’s performance in international sustainability assessments.

VICE-CHANCELLOR CONGRATULATES LASU COMMUNITY

The Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, Professor Ayodeji Olawunmi Badejo, congratulated the entire university community on the latest achievement.

He also commended individuals and groups whose commitment and contributions have supported the university’s sustainability agenda.

The recognition comes as LASU continues to pursue institutional development across several areas, including academic excellence, research, innovation, digital transformation, responsible governance and sustainable development.

The university’s recent sustainability performance adds another dimension to its institutional profile and reflects its stated ambition of strengthening its position within the African and global higher education landscape.

WHAT THE 2026 RESULT MEANS FOR LASU

The movement to 493rd globally provides LASU with a new benchmark for measuring its sustainability performance against universities from different parts of the world.

Its continued first-place position in West Africa also provides continuity in the university’s performance since joining the UI GreenMetric ranking in 2022.

However, rankings represent a specific assessment framework and should be considered alongside the wider range of academic, research, administrative and institutional indicators used to evaluate universities.

For LASU, the latest result nevertheless highlights the progress recorded in sustainability-related activities and provides a basis for continued improvement in areas covered by the UI GreenMetric framework.

LASU LOOKS AHEAD

With the 2026 UI GreenMetric result, LASU is expected to continue building on the sustainability initiatives and institutional structures that have contributed to its performance.

The university’s progress from 799th globally in 2024, to 760th in 2025, and 493rd in 2026 represents a notable movement within the ranking.

The challenge ahead will include sustaining the gains already recorded while continuing to strengthen sustainability practices across infrastructure, energy, waste management, water, transportation, education, governance and digitalisation.

As universities globally respond to environmental challenges and the Sustainable Development Goals, LASU’s continued participation in international sustainability assessments provides a platform for measuring its progress and identifying areas for further development.

The 2026 result therefore adds another chapter to the university’s sustainability journey, with LASU retaining its reported position as the leading university in West Africa in the UI GreenMetric ranking and advancing to 493rd globally among the participating institutions.

The achievement has been welcomed as a collective milestone for the university community and reinforces LASU’s ongoing focus on sustainability, innovation, responsible governance and institutional transformation.

We are LASU. We are Great.