Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo has been rated by Times Higher Education, THE, as one of the best universities in sub-Sahara Africa.
Times Higher Education is a British magazine reporting specifically on news and issues related to higher education.
In the 2023 universities ranking ceremony held in Accra, Ghana, which is the first edition conducted by THE for universities in the region, 51 Nigerian universities made the list, with Covenant University, Otta, ranked top among universities in the country.
At the event, which was attended by a delegation from Nigeria, led by Chairman of the Nigerian Universities Ranking Advisory Committee, Prof. Peter Okebukola, Covenant University was ranked 7th in Sub-Sahara Africa.
According to the ranking, ACU occupied a place between 51st and 60th best universities in the region, while Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta was ranked 26th, coming second among the ranked Nigerian universities.
Benson Idahosa University was ranked 30th, with Nnamdi Azikiwe University occupying the 31st ladder. Among other universities ranked in Nigeria were Redeemer’s University (35), University of Ibadan (36), Cross River University of Technology (37), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife (39), Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University (43), Adeleke University (45), and Ahmadu Bello University (46).
Okebukola, a former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, said at the venue that the methodology of the sub-Saharan African rankings is on five pillars, namely resources and finance (20per cent); access and fairness (2020per cent); teaching skills (2020per cent); student engagement (2020per cent) and Africa impact (2020per cent).
“Since this is the first edition of the sub-Saharan university rankings, by the next and subsequent editions, Nigerian universities will leap to the lead”, he said.
Speaking on the ranking, the Vice-Chancelloer of ACU, Prof. Timothy Adebayo, said recognition of the university by an international ranking agency was an attestation to the school management and staff hard work and focus on academic excellence, noting that the University will continue to aspire for further greatness.
“The school acknowledges the recognition by Times Higher Education, a reputable university ranking agency of international standard. We will continue to improve on research and other academic activities until we reach the desired position, which is the top in Nigeria and Sub-Sahara Africa,” he said.
