FG’s universities, polytechnics ranking plan faces credibility test

The Federal Government of Nigeria has embarked on a plan to rank universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, aiming to drive competition, accountability, and reforms within the country's tertiary education system. This initiative, spearheaded by Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, and coordinated by Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola, is set to be completed by December 15, 2026, with the results to be released before the end of the year.

The proposed national ranking, which will include 22 indicators agreed upon with the League of Directors of Academic Planning, seeks to move away from relying solely on international ranking organizations. These organizations have traditionally evaluated institutions based on teaching, research, citations, international outlook, industry links, and other metrics, with Nigerian universities often competing for visibility in global league tables.

However, the success of this ranking system hinges on its methodology. The committee leading the initiative must develop a framework that accurately measures institutional excellence while acknowledging the unique roles of universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. A system that applies identical standards to institutions with varying mandates, resources, and responsibilities could lead to misleading comparisons.

Supporters argue that a national ranking could help identify high-performing institutions and encourage vice-chancellors, rectors, and provosts to focus on areas such as teaching, research, infrastructure, and institutional performance. Competition could become a driving force for improvement, as institutions strive to achieve higher rankings and enhance their reputation both nationally and internationally.

While the initiative holds promise, it is essential that the ranking process is transparent, data-verified, and based on relevant indicators. Only then can the credibility of the ranking be upheld, and its intended impact on the quality and performance of Nigeria's tertiary education system be realized.