Covenant University continues to distinguish herself and underline her competence, not only in Nigeria's tertiary education space, but also in the comity of world institutions, as she leads 50 Nigerian Universities on an impressive outing in the first edition of Times Higher Education 2023 Sub-Saharan Africa rankings.
At the unveiling event in Accra, Ghana, on Monday, Times Higher Education announced the results of its 2023 Sub-Saharan university rankings in which Nigerian universities led by Covenant University, had an outstanding outing.
The event was attended by a delegation from Nigeria, led by Professor Peter Okebukola, who is the Chairman, Nigerian Universities Ranking Advisory Committee (NURAC).
Other members of the delegation are Dr. Noel Biodun Saliu, Deputy Executive Secretary (Academics) NUC and Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun (member of NURAC representing southwest zone). Vice-Chancellors of Covenant University, Landmark University and Skyline University, also attended.
Professor Peter Okebukola, who led the delegation, in a statement, on Tuesday, explained that Covenant University emerged the 7th best in Sub-Saharan Africa and first in Nigeria.
“Other universities that appeared on the list and their ranks are Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (26th); Benson Idahosa University (30th), Nnamdi Azikiwe University (31st), Redeemer’s University (35), University of Ibadan (36), CRUTECH (37th) OAU, Ife (39th) Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University (43rd), Adeleke University (45th), and Ahmadu Bello University (46th), University of Benin (47th), Landmark University (49th), and Babcock University (50th)”, he said.
Professor Okebukola, a former Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC), further explained that the methodology of the sub-Saharan African rankings is on five pillars, namely, resources and finance (20%); access and fairness (20%); teaching skills (20%); student engagement (20%) and Africa impact (20%).
Okebukola further informed the press that during the unveiling ceremony, and the Sub- Saharan University Forum, which preceded it on, ‘Revolutionising African Higher Education’, Duncan Ross, Chief Data Officer of Times Higher Education, lauded Nigerian universities on progress made in the last two years on global and regional league tables. He said that Ross had noted, that of the 121 universities that contributed data, Nigerian universities made up the largest proportion (42%), followed by South Africa (12%), and Ghana (7%).
Reacting to the great news, the Vice-chancellor, Covenant University, Professor Abiodun Adebayo, enthused, “We are so excited and elated at what God is doing in Covenant. Indeed, this is the finger of God and an evidence of the hand of God in our midst! It is a strong of validation of what Covenant stands for and solidly speaks to the ethos of this great institution.”
“As a University, we have been raising a new generation of leaders; trying to promote African values and culture, which is one of the philosophical ethos upon which this University was founded. This is to ensure that the battered image of Africa is redeemed and that Africa, which has been relegated to the background, takes her rightful place,” he added.
He expressed gratitude to the Chancellor and Chairman, Board of Regents, Covenant University, Dr. David O. Oyedepo, for the immeasurable support he has given to the vision of the institution from inception; and appreciated the Pro-Chancellor, Bishop David Abioye, and the entire members of the Board of Regents, for their tireless commitment to the growth of the University.
Professor Adebayo also thanked the members of the Management of the University, faculty, staff and students, for their commitment and respective roles in promoting the vision of the great citadel of learning and working hard to see it fulfilled.