Okebukola Calls for Enhanced Global Standing of Nigerian Universities

Prof Peter Okebukola, Chairman of the Nigerian Tertiary Education Ranking Advisory Committee, called for improvements in global academic reputation, research output, and international collaboration among Nigerian universities following the release of the 2027 Times Higher Education World University Rankings. Nigeria had 29 universities ranked, up from 24 in 2026, making it the country with the highest number of ranked institutions in sub-Saharan Africa.

Okebukola emphasized that this increase should be matched by enhanced performance in areas influencing global rankings, particularly global academic reputation, which accounts for 33% of the overall score. He suggested that Nigerian universities could improve their standing by engaging in international conferences, joint research, and strengthening ties with diaspora academics.

The assessment revealed that Research Quality was Nigeria's strongest ranking pillar, with a mean score of 43.3. Covenant University, the University of Ibadan, and the University of Lagos were the highest-ranked Nigerian institutions, positioned in the 801–1000 global band.