Nigerian universities gain ground in global research rankings — Okebukola
Prof. Peter Okebukola, Chairman of the Nigerian Tertiary Education Ranking Advisory Committee (NiTERAC), says Nigerian universities, led by federal institutions, have recorded significant gains in the latest AD Scientific Index.This is contained in a report issued in Abuja on Sunday by Okebukola, noting that Nigerian universities were ranked third in Africa and 48th globally among 221 countries.
He said the Oct. 1 rankings indexed 53,580 Nigerian scientists across 384 institutions.
Okebukola said Nigeria had the largest number of indexed researchers among Africa’s three leading research countries. He also cited the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027, where Nigeria’s representation increased from 24 universities in 2026 to 29 in 2027.
“19 of the 29 institutions are federal universities,” he said citing the report.
According to Okebukola, Ahmadu Bello University and the University of Ilorin moved into the 1,001–1,200 band.
“Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Benin also moved into the 1,401–1,600 band.”
Okebukola, a former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), said the gains showed increasing research visibility across Nigeria’s university system.
He, however, qstressed the need for stronger research impact, international collaboration and sustained investment in leading research groups. (NAN)
