- According to him, the blueprint otherwise known as ‘Rasheed Plan’ if implemented with a high degree of fidelity could result in the presence of not less than five Nigerian universities among the top 200 in the world by the year 2023.
For tertiary institutions in Nigeria to gain respectable ranking on the global table of universities, Professor Peter Okebukola, Chairman, Strategy Advisory Committee, National Universities Commission (NUC), on Thursday, suggested a full implementation of the NUC Blueprint tagged ‘Revitalisation of University Education in Nigeria’.
Okebukola, the former NUC Executive Secretary gave the advice while delivering the 14th convocation lecture of the Covenant University, Otta, Ogun State titled: “World Ranking Parameters: Matters Arising for African Universities”.
According to him, the blueprint otherwise known as ‘Rasheed Plan’ if implemented with a high degree of fidelity could result in the presence of not less than five Nigerian universities among the top 200 in the world by the year 2023.
Advancing reasons for the low ranking of universities in Africa on the global league tables, the scholar identified low investment in the research enterprise, research capacity deficits in institutional and human resources, inefficiencies in the system and sharp practices.
Others according to Okebukola include weak attractions of international staff and students, low ICT use in promoting visibility and poor data collection and management capabilities.
Suggesting ways of improving the standing of African universities on global ranking the guest lecturer emphasised the need for familiarisation with the most-recent ranking indicators, encouraging national ranking of universities so as to prepare the local for the global and massive national, regional and global publicity through social media, among others.
Okebukola lauded the excellence attained by the Covenant University in Times Higher Education World University Rankings and Young University Ranking.
