The University of Ilorin has emerged as Nigeria’s highest rated university for research quality in the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings, strengthening its position among the country’s leading research institutions.
The university recorded a research quality score of 69.4 per cent, which it said was the highest achieved by a Nigerian institution in the latest assessment.
Results of the ranking were released during the World Academic Summit at the University of Cape Town in South Africa.
The Times Higher Education methodology evaluates institutions across teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry engagement.
UNILORIN also improved its overall global position, moving from the 1201 to 1500 category in the previous ranking into the 1001 to 1200 category.
The improvement places the university among seven Nigerian institutions within the global top 1,200, according to the university.
Research quality carries 30 per cent of the overall assessment and considers indicators reflecting the influence and reach of academic research.
University Ranking Implementation Project Manager, Professor Suleiman Folorunso Ambali, identified research quality as one of UNILORIN’s strongest areas.
The institution is now targeting further improvement that could take it into the 801 to 1000 category in the next edition.
Vice Chancellor Professor Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, attributed the improvement to sustained academic work by researchers, lecturers, postgraduate supervisors and students.
He said the ranking reflected years of scholarship rather than a sudden improvement.
The latest result provides the university with an opportunity to translate its research performance into greater international visibility, stronger academic partnerships and improved overall global ranking.
