Okebukola Projects Nigerian Universities to Excel Globally

Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola, Chairman of the Nigerian Tertiary Education and Research Analysis Committee (NiTERAC), stated that Nigerian universities are on track to achieve record-breaking performances in global rankings from 2027. This projection was made during a meeting on October 21, 2026, where he attributed the expected improvement to increased competition among institutions, rising research citations, and a new national ranking framework.

The mandatory national ranking exercise introduced by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, on September 1, 2026, is a key factor motivating universities to showcase their achievements in teaching, research, and community service. Okebukola noted that this initiative has mobilized institutions to document their accomplishments and improve visibility.

He also highlighted the growing participation of academics in citation-tracking platforms as a contributor to better international standing. The 2026 national rankings are currently in the 12th stage of a 17-step process, with results to be released after the Minister's approval.

The committee plans to introduce thematic rankings from 2027.