The University of Nairobi has dropped out of the top 1,000 universities in the latest QS World University Rankings for 2026, raising fresh concerns about the global standing of Kenya’s top learning institution and the wider competitiveness of sub-Saharan African universities.

Once ranked in the 901–950 bracket, UoN has now slid into the 1,001–1,200 range, marking a notable drop in both international performance and regional influence.

The institution now sits in the same tier as Makerere University in Uganda and the University of Lagos in Nigeria—two major universities that also failed to break into the top 1,000.

This year’s QS rankings evaluated over 1,500 universities from 106 countries. Only 19 institutions from sub-Saharan Africa were listed, and just three of them improved their positions—each of them based in South Africa.

UoN was Kenya’s sole representative, and its fall highlights the growing struggle by regional universities to keep pace in the global academic space.

"With only three of the 19 institutions in sub-Saharan Africa improving their rankings, universities need to ensure they keep up with advancements in higher education worldwide," said Ben Sowter, QS Senior Vice President.

Despite the overall decline, UoN performed strongly in one key area: employment outcomes.

The university scored 95.6 in this category and ranked 72nd globally, reflecting the continued appeal of its graduates in the job market.

However, even this rating slipped slightly, down five spots from the previous year—signaling rising pressure on the institution to adapt to an evolving employment landscape.

In subject-specific rankings, UoN was placed in the 201–250 band, particularly recognised in development studies, agriculture, and education.

These areas remain some of the university’s academic strengths even as it faces wider challenges in metrics such as research output and international collaboration.

In the sustainability category, which assesses the environmental, social, and governance impact of universities, UoN was ranked between 1081 and 1100.

The low placement points to urgent gaps in sustainability-focused research, energy use, and institutional practices.

The university has in recent years faced internal leadership disputes and financial difficulties, which may have contributed to its declining performance.

Its continued fall in global rankings will likely intensify calls for reform, investment, and strategic partnerships to help restore its position as a leading academic institution in Africa.