Professor Moses Idowu, an expert on church theology and human development, said out of a total of 274 universities in Nigeria, only 21 Nigerian universities were recognized in the recent world rankings.
He expressed concern that the latest world rankings reflected the mismanagement and mismanagement prevalent in Nigerian universities and the country at large.
Idowu pointed to two universities in an online post. Covenant University and Landmark University, both affiliated with the Living Faith Tabernacle and headed by Bishop David Oyedepo, were particularly ranked in bands A and B.
He further said that out of the 21 universities recognized in the world rankings, 19 were classified in Band BD, of which 15 were federal universities and 4 were state universities.
“Here’s the shock: There are no federal or state universities in the list of top 1,000 universities, and only private companies Covenant University and Landmark University made it into the first two categories,” he said. ” he said. Of the 21 universities, 6 are located in the north and 15 in the south.
“In the south, we have 10 in the south-west, three in the south-east and two in the south-south.In the north, we have three universities in the middle belt (north-central) and two in the north-east.
“Notably, of the three universities in North Central, Landmark University and University of Ilorin are in the same Kwara State.”
Professor Idowu said that among the first generation universities in Nigeria, Obafemi Awolowo University and Nsukka University were the only ones not ranked in Band B like their counterparts.
Nsukka was placed in band C and OAU was classified in band D.
He further analyzed the rankings and said, “According to former Director-General of the National Universities Commission, Professor Peter Okebukola, the following results were obtained.”
“Band A (801-1000): Only Covenant University made it to the list in this category.Band B (1001-1200): This includes Ahmadu Bello University, University of Ibadan, Landmark University, and University of Lagos. Includes four universities.
“Band C (1201-1500): This band consists of six universities: the two Federal Polytechnics (University of Akure and University of Minna), Bayero University, University of Benin, University of Ilorin and University of Nsukka.
“Band D (below 1501): This list includes 10 universities including four state universities: Lagos State University, Ekiti State University, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, and the Federal University of Abeokuta. It includes seven federal universities: University of Agriculture, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Obafemi Awolowo University, Federal University of Oye-Ekuti, University of Port Harcourt, University of Ilorin and Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.”
Mr. Idowu criticized those who praised the ranking, saying it was humiliating that Covenant University, a private university with no access to public funds, was ranked the best in the country.
He noted that out of over 274 universities in Nigeria, only one was classified as a Band A university and made it to the list of top 1,000 universities.
“Professor. While Okebukola and others see this result as impressive and worthy of celebration, I don’t think so. This is a symbol of national disgrace, and not just for our university. “I see it as a tragic reflection of the mismanagement and mismanagement of the entire Nigerian state,” he said.
“What is particularly disappointing is that the only university on the list is not a federal or state university, but a private, mission-based university that receives no taxpayer funding, no public budget support, and no alumni support. It is sad that a private organization without access to public funding is achieving such remarkable results at two universities while a first-generation federal university like Ife is struggling to compete. The University of Ife, once world-renowned and respected, is now a Band D university, surpassing the less than 10-year-old landmark university. Because we remember what this university represented in the days when scholarships were a feature of higher education. This decline reflects how badly Nigeria has mismanaged this once great institution. It highlights a lot.”
Dr. Ifeanyi Onike, Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Mass Communication at Dominican University, Ibadan, said that for Nigeria to get things right, the government must lead by example and foreign certificates are better than certificates obtained in Nigeria. He advised that it was necessary to prove that there was no such thing.
“What I want to emphasize is that beyond the conversations and workshops we hold every day, we need strong policies to improve our education system. These policies will ensure that both government and private companies should prioritize hiring domestic graduates.
“Finally, I think the government should get out of the education system, especially high school and tertiary education.The government has consistently shown that it is unable to meet the educational needs of its people at this level. Currently, students are taking a leave of absence due to the tuition increase, and students at other federal universities are also protesting.
“Education subsidies are an important measure that the Tinubu administration should seriously consider, as the government’s actions and inactions are contributing to parents struggling to afford their children’s tuition fees. But if subsidies are not possible, I advocate privatizing all federal universities so they can operate as profitable ventures. Maintaining the status quo while raising fees is abusing the system. It will only benefit those who do, and it will further harm the country.”
Dr. Oladipo Kolawole, another lecturer in the Department of Microbiology at Adeleke University and founder of the Helix Biogen Institute in Ogbomoso, Nigeria, said that for Nigerian universities to achieve higher global rankings, they must improve their research output. He said several strategies could be implemented, including improvements. And quality.
“We can significantly improve our rankings by encouraging more research, especially in STEM fields and the social sciences. This includes fostering innovation, securing funding, and publishing in reputable international journals. Universities should also focus on high-impact collaborative research efforts.
“Furthermore, appropriate investment in educational infrastructure by both government and the private sector is critical. Modern laboratories, libraries and digital resources will enhance learning experiences and research capacity.”
He called for expanded international cooperation and exchange programs, saying this is also an important strategy. “Partnering with globally ranked universities on joint research projects, faculty exchanges, and international student programs increases visibility and raises academic standards. It is essential. It can improve the quality of education and research output by providing professional development opportunities and fostering international research collaboration.”
Kolawole said it is important, especially in public universities, to improve the student experience by emphasizing student-centered learning, reducing overcrowded classes, and improving access to resources, resulting in better learning outcomes and overall He argued that it can lead to a sense of satisfaction.
“Modernization also requires digital transformation. The adoption of technology in teaching, learning and management, such as online courses and digital libraries, has the potential to draw global attention to Nigerian universities.
“Finally, universities should consider focusing on specialized areas, aiming to become world leaders in areas such as agriculture, health sciences and technology, to increase their visibility and relevance.
“In conclusion, the comprehensive implementation of these strategies can gradually improve the global ranking of Nigerian universities,” he said.
