Nigerian universities global rankings could improve from 2027, Peter Okebukola says, citing research citations, competition and new assessment criteria

Nigerian universities could achieve record-breaking performances in global rankings from 2027, according to the Chairman of the Nigerian Tertiary Education and Research Analysis Committee, Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola, who cited increased institutional competition, growing research citations and a new national ranking framework.

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Okebukola made the projection at a meeting of NiTERAC and directors of academic planning on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, according to a statement issued on Thursday.

He attributed the anticipated gains partly to the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen how tertiary institutions are assessed, including a mandatory national ranking exercise introduced by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, on September 1, 2026.

According to Okebukola, the exercise is encouraging federal, state and private universities to publicise their achievements in teaching, research and community service.

He said the initiative had intensified competition among institutions, including those that had previously done little to showcase their performance.

“This mandatory directory has caused mass mobilisation of tertiary institutions in the country to gear up for the 2026 national ranking exercise,” he said.

The NiTERAC chairman also pointed to the growing participation of Nigerian academics on Google Scholar and other citation-tracking platforms as a potential driver of improved international visibility.

He said increased participation had expanded the country’s available citation data, which could contribute to stronger performances in international university rankings from 2027.

Research output and citations feature directly or indirectly in several global ranking systems, although the extent to which they affect an institution’s position varies by ranking provider and methodology.

Okebukola identified the design of the 22 indicators for the 2026 national rankings as another important factor.

He said the indicators drew on four leading international ranking systems, exposing Nigerian institutions to performance measures used globally.

He added that the national ranking exercise had reached the 12th stage of a 17-step process, while assessments of polytechnics and colleges of education were also progressing.

The committee expects to complete the rankings for all categories by December 15, 2026. Okebukola said the results would be published after the Minister of Education approves NiTERAC’s recommendations.

Beyond the 2026 exercise, the committee plans to introduce thematic rankings from 2027, with a stronger emphasis on how tertiary institutions contribute to Nigeria’s development priorities.

The proposed approach would assess not only conventional academic performance but also the practical application of knowledge, graduate capabilities and innovations that address real-world challenges.

Okebukola said the indicators could include innovations developed within the preceding two years, such as patents secured, new products created and processes introduced to tackle national development problems.

He linked the proposal to calls for graduates who can apply their knowledge competently and ethically to create value for society.

He cited United Nigeria Airlines Chairman, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, who made a similar argument during the 14th convocation lecture of Afe Babalola University in Ado-Ekiti.

According to Okebukola, the proposed thematic rankings could also offer a model for other African countries pursuing the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the continent’s long-term development framework.

The initiative comes amid continuing pressure on Nigerian universities to improve research productivity, international visibility, graduate employability and their contribution to economic and social development.

However, the projected improvement in global rankings remains an expectation rather than a confirmed outcome.

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Actual performance will depend on universities’ results and the methodologies applied by international ranking organisations.

Reps seek federal relief for Edo tanker explosion victims, urging NEMA aid, market rehabilitation and urgent repairs to the Benin-Lagos Expressway.

The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to provide relief materials, financial assistance and rehabilitation support to victims of the deadly petrol tanker explosion at Oluku in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

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The lawmakers also urged the government to repair dangerous sections of the Benin-Lagos Expressway around Oluku to reduce the risk of similar disasters.

The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Omosede Igbinedion, a lawmaker representing a constituency in Edo State, during plenary on Wednesday, October 21.

The Edo tanker explosion occurred on Thursday, October 15, when a petrol tanker reportedly lost control and overturned near Oluku Market, spilling fuel that later ignited and spread to nearby businesses.

According to the motion, the fire caused fatalities and serious injuries while destroying shops, stalls, vehicles, goods and other property.

The damage also left traders and their families facing substantial financial losses and the loss of their livelihoods.

Presenting the motion, Igbinedion said the incident had caused widespread hardship, with some victims losing their savings and facing mounting financial difficulties.

She also raised concerns about reports of severe burns among survivors, some of whom reportedly required emergency treatment at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and other medical facilities.

The lawmaker said the scale of the destruction required federal intervention to complement the Edo State Government’s response.

She commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for visiting the scene and affected victims, as well as pledging to rebuild the damaged market and support traders.

However, she argued that additional assistance was necessary to provide immediate relief, restore livelihoods and help affected families recover from the disaster.

Following the motion’s adoption, the House urged the National Emergency Management Agency to assess the damage and provide relief materials, financial support and rehabilitation assistance to victims.

It also called on the Federal Government to work with the Edo State Government to rebuild the affected market and support the recovery of businesses disrupted by the fire.

The lawmakers further urged the Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency to inspect and urgently rehabilitate dangerous sections of the Benin-Lagos Expressway around Oluku.

In another resolution, the House directed the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and other relevant agencies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, fuel spillage, evacuation efforts and subsequent fire.

The agencies were also asked to recommend preventive measures, particularly along major highways where fuel tankers operate close to markets, shops and residential communities.

The incident has renewed concerns about the dangers of attempting to collect fuel from overturned tankers. Spilled petrol can ignite rapidly, exposing people nearby to potentially fatal fires and explosions.

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The House’s resolutions seek to address both the immediate needs of affected residents and the wider safety concerns raised by the disaster. Federal assistance, road repairs and a thorough investigation are expected to support recovery efforts and help reduce the likelihood of similar incidents.

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