University of Ibadan Retains Top Spot as Federal Institutions Dominate Global Research Ranking

The University of Ibadan (UI) has once again solidified its reputation as Nigeria’s premier intellectual powerhouse, retaining its top position in the latest AD Scientific Index. In a statement signed by the Chairman of the Nigerian Tertiary Education Ranking Advisory Committee, Emeritus Prof. Peter Okebukola, on Friday, the prestigious institution led the pack in a assessment that highlights the continued dominance of federal universities in the national research ecosystem.

Unlike subjective reputational surveys, the AD Scientific Index focuses heavily on scientific productivity, individual scholar impact, and citation counts over the last six years, using metrics like the h-index and i10 index. UI’s retention of the top spot underscores its sustained research output, despite the historical funding challenges and industrial actions that have periodically plagued the Nigerian tertiary education sector.

According to reports, the performance of federal universities in this index demonstrates their legacy of academic infrastructure and the concentration of seasoned, globally recognized academics within their faculties. While state and private institutions are making notable strides, they still face a significant gap in matching the deep-rooted research cultures established by older federal institutions over decades.

Emeritus Prof. Okebukola praised the resilience of Nigerian researchers who continue to publish groundbreaking work under demanding conditions. He emphasized that the Advisory Committee remains committed to fostering a culture of rigorous peer review, academic integrity, and international collaboration across all Nigerian campuses to ensure global competitiveness.