Nigerian universities projected to improve global rankings by 2027

Nigerian universities are expected to see unprecedented improvements in international rankings starting in 2027, according to Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola, Chairman of the Nigerian Tertiary Education and Research Analysis Committee (NiTERAC).

Okebukola attributed this projected progress to several key factors, including increased competition among federal, state, and private institutions. A major driver is the mandatory national ranking exercise introduced by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, in September 2026, which has prompted universities to better document and publicize their achievements in teaching, research, and community service.

Additionally, the expansion of Nigeria’s research footprint is contributing to higher standings. An increasing number of Nigerian academics are registering on platforms such as Google Scholar, leading to a significant expansion of the country’s citation data, which is a critical component of global university assessment metrics.