Nigeria’s higher education system is under scrutiny after none of its universities made it to the top 1000 in the latest Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings 2025. The rankings, which evaluated over 1,500 institutions worldwide, placed only the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos in the 1100-1200 group.
This lack of representation in the global rankings raises concerns about the state of higher education in Nigeria. Despite the country’s emphasis on education, its universities seem to be struggling with funding, infrastructure, and academic standards. This is evident when compared to their African counterparts, such as the University of Cape Town, which leads the rankings at 171.
The absence of Nigerian universities in the top 1000 highlights the need for significant reforms to enhance the global competitiveness of Nigerian higher education institutions. This disparity is a wake-up call for policymakers and stakeholders to address the challenges facing the sector.
The Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings 2025 evaluated institutions based on academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty/student ratio, citations per faculty, international students, and international staff. Nigerian universities’ poor performance in these areas suggests a need for improvement in teaching, research, and international collaboration.
The University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos, which secured spots in the 1100-1200 group, must be commended for their efforts. However, more needs to be done to enhance the global visibility and reputation of Nigerian universities.
The absence of Nigerian universities in the top 1000 global rankings is a call to action. The country must prioritize higher education reform to produce globally competitive institutions that can attract international students, faculty, and collaborations. By doing so, Nigeria can unlock the potential of its youth and drive economic growth and development.
