Available online Aug 4, 2025.

[ Original ] Volume 24, Issue 2, 2025, Pages 251-266

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Abstract

The paper examined some global university rankings and situated the performance of Nigerian universities in the league tables. It also broadly identified the criteria that impacted their performance and expressed opinions on the relevance, and appropriateness of such criteria, in the Nigerian University System as well as the capacity of Nigerian universities to compete in each of the rankings. The Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), QS World Universities Rankings (QS-WUR), Times Higher Education World Universities Rankings (THE-WUR), Times Higher Education Impact Rankings (THE-IR), Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan African Universities Rankings (THE-SSAUR), Webometric Rankings, US News Universities Rankings, and Nigerian Universities Rankings (NUR), were reviewed.

The current performance of the top Nigerian universities in each of the rankings was presented and discussed. No Nigerian university appeared among the top 1000 universities in ARWU, QS-WUR, and Webometric rankings. Measures Nigerian universities can take to improve their performance in the global ranking were also discussed. Suggestions were also made regarding what the ranking agencies need to do to improve their criteria and methodology. Although Nigerian universities performed relatively well in the US News rankings, it is concluded that the THE-IR, THE-SSAUR, and NUR are the most relevant and appropriate rankings and should be fully embraced by Nigerian universities and the performance of Nigerian universities in these rankings may be used as barometers of their impact and relevance to society. Continued good performance in these rankings by Nigerian universities will serve as a stepping stone for better performance in the other rankings.

 

Keywords

University rankings, Nigerian universities, world-class universities, university mission, internationalization, SDGs.,

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