Nigeria Expands Tertiary Education Ranking Framework

The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, announced the expansion of Nigeria’s national tertiary education ranking framework to encompass universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, making participation compulsory for all tertiary institutions. This announcement was made during a meeting in Abuja with the Nigerian Universities Ranking Advisory Committee (NURAC), which will now be referred to as the Nigerian Tertiary Education Ranking Advisory Committee.

This initiative is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s education reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at improving quality, accountability, and global competitiveness in Nigeria’s tertiary education system. The first ranking exercise for universities is scheduled to begin in September 2026, with timelines for polytechnics and colleges of education to be determined by the committee.

The Federal Government will provide funding through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and will communicate the compulsory nature of participation to vice-chancellors and heads of institutions. Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad and Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola also supported the initiative, emphasizing its importance for maintaining educational standards.