At least, 51 Nigerian Universities led by Covenant University, Ota, have made impressive outing in the first Times Higher Education 2023 Sub-Saharan Africa rankings.
At a colourful unveiling event in Accra, Ghana, Times Higher Education announced the results of its 2023 Sub-Saharan university rankings.
The event was attended by a delegation from Nigeria led by Professor Peter Okebukola, Chairman of Nigerian Universities Ranking Advisory Committee (NURAC).
Other members of the delegation are Dr. Noel Biodun Saliu, Deputy Executive Secretary (Academics) NUC and Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun (member of NURAC representing southwest zone). Vice-Chancellors of Covenant University, Landmark University and Skyline University were some of the other university leaders from Nigeria.
Professor Peter Okebukola who was excited on return to Abuja, provided details of the results to news men
According to him, Covenant University emerged in the 7th position in Sub-Saharan Africa and the No. 1 in Nigeria.
“Other universities that appeared on the elite list and their ranks are Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (26th) Benson Idahosa University (30th), Nnamdi Azikiwe University (31st ), Redeemer’s University (35), University of Ibadan (36), CRUTECH (37th) , OAU, Ife (39th) Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University (43rd ), Adeleke University (45th), and Ahmadu Bello University (46th ), amongst others.” Prof. Okebukola said.
According to the former Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC), the methodology of the sub-Saharan African rankings is on “five pillars- Resources and Finance (20%); Access and Fairness (20%); Teaching Skills (20%); Student Engagement (20%) and Africa Impact (20%)”.
He noted that on all measures, Nigerian universities did impressively well, with much room for improvement.
Okebukola, who was the immediate past Chairman Governing Board of the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN noted that since this was the first edition of the sub-Saharan university rankings, by the next and subsequent editions, Nigerian universities will leap to the lead.
“We will continue to improve on the metrics through better quality teaching especially with the incoming Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), research and provision of better services for our students.” He said.
Okebukola further informed that during the unveiling ceremony and the Sub-Saharan University Forum which preceded it on “Revolutionising African Higher Education”, Duncan Ross, Chief Data Officer of Times Higher Education, lauded Nigerian universities on progress made in the last two years on global and regional league tables.
Of the 121 universities that contributed data, Nigerian universities make up the “largest proportion (42%) followed by South Africa (12%) and Ghana (7%) Professor Okebukola explained this as the impact of the revolution towards improving quality of delivery of university education in Nigeria, initiated by Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, Executive Secretary NUC and supported by the immediate-past Minister of Education Malam Adamu Adamu”.
Olusola Akintonde
