THE 2015 rating of 1,447 African universities and higher institutions, using research publications and citations from 2010 to 2014, as well as visibility on the Internet, has ranked the University of Ibadan (UI) best in Nigeria and eighth in Africa.
South African institutions, according to the ranking, dominate the top 10, with the University of Cape Town leading with total influence factor (TIF) of 45.02, followed by Cairo University (43.43) and the University of Pretoria (43.35).
The top 10 has six institutions from South Africa, two from Egypt and one each from Kenya and Nigeria (University of Ibadan). First generation universities were equally in top positions in the latest ranking in Nigeria, where UI is eighth in continent and first in Nigeria, followed by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (13th and second), Ahmadu Bello University (18th and third), the University of Lagos (20th and fourth), Obafemi Awolowo University (24th and fifth), University of Ilorin (31st and sixth), University of Port Harcourt (36th and seventh), Nnamdi Azikiwe University (42nd and eight), University of Calabar (43rd and ninth), and the Federal University of Technology, Akure (49th and 10th), while Covenant University (53rd) is the only private university.
Reacting to the ranking, the UI Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folorunso Adewole, said the varsity’s vision is to be a world-class institution of academic excellence that meets society’s needs. He added that UI would work to be at par with globally renowned universities by continually expanding the frontiers of knowledge through the provision of excellent conditions of learning and research. Adewole urged the Federal Government to grant UI special funding status to enable it attain its vision and mission of transforming the Nigerian society through creativity and innovation.
