Covenant Varsity, 50 Others Shine In New Rankings

Over 51 Nigerian universities led by Covenant University, Ota in Ogun State have made impressive outing in the first Times Higher Education 2023 Sub-Saharan Africa rankings.

At an unveiling event in Accra, Times Higher Education announced the results of its 2023 Sub-Saharan university rankings.

The event was attended by a delegation from Nigeria led by the chairman of Nigerian Universities Ranking Advisory Committee (NURAC). Professor Peter Okebukola,

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).

The vice chancellors of Covenant University, Landmark University and Skyline University were some of the other university leaders from Nigeria.

Okebukola who was excited on return to Abuja, provided details of the results to newsmen

According to him, Covenant University emerged in the 7th position in Sub-Saharan Africa and the number one 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.

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 was the immediate past chairman of the Governing Board of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). He noted that “since this is 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.”

Okebukola further informed the press 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.