A recent global ranking of universities has highlighted the troubling state of Nigerian higher education, with only 21 of the country’s 274 universities making the list. This revelation has sparked widespread concern among educators and experts, who point to misgovernance and maladministration as key factors in this dismal performance.
Prof. Moses Idowu, an expert in Ecclesiastical Theology and Human Development, criticised the results, particularly noting that no federal or state universities made it into the top 1,000 globally. Covenant University and Landmark University, both private institutions affiliated with the Living Faith Tabernacle and led by Bishop David Oyedepo, were the only Nigerian universities ranked in Bands A and B.
In his analysis, Prof. Idowu revealed that of the 21 universities that appeared in the global ranking, 19 were classified in Bands B-D, with 15 of these being federal institutions and four state universities. He pointed out that regional disparities also exist, with six of the ranked universities located in the North and 15 in the South.
He further lamented the decline of Nigeria’s first-generation universities, stating that Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, failed to meet expectations. OAU was placed in Band D, while Nsukka fell into Band C.
Former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Peter Okebukola, provided further details on the rankings. He noted that Covenant University was the only Nigerian institution to make it into Band A (ranked between 801 and 1,000 globally). Four universities, including Ahmadu Bello University and the University of Ibadan, were placed in Band B (1001-1200), while others such as the Federal Universities of Technology in Akure and Minna were listed in Band C.
Prof. Idowu did not hold back in his criticism, describing the situation as a “national shame.” He expressed disappointment that Covenant University, which receives no public funding, was ranked as the top institution in Nigeria, while many federally funded universities struggled to compete.
Other experts, such as Dr Ifeanyi Onyike, Head of the Department of Mass Communication at Dominican University, and Dr Oladipo Kolawole, a microbiology lecturer at Adeleke University, echoed these sentiments. They called for urgent reforms to improve Nigeria’s higher education system, suggesting policies to prioritise homegrown graduates, investment in research, and increased international collaboration.
Dr Kolawole also emphasised the importance of modernising university infrastructure and implementing digital transformation to boost global competitiveness. He concluded that only through a holistic approach could Nigerian universities hope to improve their global rankings and regain their once-respected status.
As the debate over the future of Nigerian universities continues, many agree that swift and decisive action is needed to reverse the current trend and place Nigerian institutions back on the global academic map.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.