Prof Peter Okebukola confirms the 2026 national ranking of tertiary institutions will be released on December 15.
The Nigerian Tertiary Education Ranking Advisory Committee is making significant progress with the 2026 national ranking of tertiary institutions, covering universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across the country. Committee Chairman Prof Peter Okebukola made this disclosure in Abuja, stating that the league tables will be published following final approval.
The comprehensive evaluation process is currently moving through a structured, approved 17-step framework before submission to the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa. According to information published by punchng, the nationwide initiative aims to foster healthy academic competition and elevate teaching standards.
This major institutional review comes on the heels of Nigeria increasing its representation in the 2027 Times Higher Education World University Rankings to 29 institutions. The Ministry of Education continues to leverage these metrics to identify critical areas requiring academic and infrastructural improvements.
National ranking framework indicators and goals
The Federal Ministry of Education designed the national ranking framework to assess participating universities using 22 distinct indicators covering various aspects of institutional performance. Prof Peter Okebukola emphasized that the exercise is not merely about positioning schools on league tables.
Instead, the evaluation is crafted to stimulate vital improvements in teaching, research output, and international competitiveness. Nigerian universities must produce high-impact scholarly work that attracts global readership and citations to boost their overall standing.
Capacity building for Nigerian academics
To address existing gaps in research productivity and international collaboration, the committee organized a targeted capacity-building program. A total of 4,203 Nigerian academics underwent rigorous training focused on publishing research in high-impact international journals.
The three-day free masterclass was organized by the Virtual Institute for Capacity Building in Higher Education, featuring lectures by prominent scholars like Prof Olusola Adesope and Prof Jibril Baba. Participants engaged in practical manuscript evaluations and utilized the Okebukola 12-C Test.
Institutional performance and top scorers
The training yielded remarkable results, with 23 participants emerging as joint highest scorers, each achieving the maximum 3,060 marks. Institutions such as the National Open University of Nigeria and Yaba College of Technology recorded impressive participation and pass rates.
Furthermore, management approved the Dr Tunji Alausa Prize for five distinguished vice-chancellors, including Prof Elisabeta Smaranda Olarinde of Afe Babalola University. This leadership by example underscores the ongoing commitment to raising educational standards nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the 2026 tertiary institutions ranking be released?
Prof Peter Okebukola announced that the 2026 national ranking of Nigerian tertiary institutions is scheduled for release on December 15, subject to the approval of Minister of Education Dr Tunji Alausa.
What is the purpose of the Nigerian national ranking framework?
The framework assesses universities using 22 indicators to stimulate improvements in teaching quality, research output, institutional performance, and global competitiveness.
How many academics participated in the research publication training?
A total of 4,203 Nigerian academics participated in the three-day masterclass organized by the Virtual Institute for Capacity Building in Higher Education to improve international publishing skills.
Which institution recorded the highest number of successful training participants?
Yaba College of Technology recorded the highest number of successful participants with 65 scholars, followed closely by Lagos State University and Obafemi Awolowo University.
