By Divine .O. Godstime
BENIN CITY — The prestigious University of Benin (UNIBEN), Benin City, in Edo State, has, shockingly, been displaced from the top-100 ranking table of universities in Nigeria, for the first time in ‘modern history’ since its over fifty years of existence as an institution.
This is according to the latest ranking of universities released by Webometrics for the first quarter of 2023, obtained by CAMPUS GIST, on Monday. While the varsity ranked 15,812th in the World, it struggled to take 734th position in Africa, coming 148th in Nigeria.
UNIBEN had in 2012 ranked overall best University in Nigeria, according to the Webometrics ranking of World Universities. This was under the administration of Professor Osayuki Godwin Oshodin (of blessed memory), as Vice Chancellor. Pundits say the latest ranking of UNIBEN, far below several other federal, state and private institutions in the West African country, is “shocking.”
Meanwhile, on the latest rankings, the University of Ibadan (UI) retained its position as the overall best University in Nigeria, ranking 18th in Africa and 1,117th in the World. Surprisingly, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) was displaced from its 2nd best position by the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, which took 25th spot in Africa and 1,304 in the World. UNILAG now ranks 1,543th in the World, 32nd in Africa and 6th in Nigeria, falling four steps lower.
Similarly, Covenant University, a private faith-based school in Ota, Ogun State, ranked 1,342nd in the World. While the varsity took 26th place in Africa, it claimed 3rd best position in Nigeria.
The University of Port-Harcourt (UNIPORT) ranked 1,376th in the World, 27th in Africa and 4th in Nigeria; while the University of Nigeria (UNN), Nsukka ranked 1,423rd in the World, 30th in Africa and 5th in Nigeria.
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, ranked 1,822nd in the World, 44th in Africa and 7th in Nigeria; while Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, ranked 1,985th in the World, 52nd in Africa and 8th position in Nigeria.
The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) ranked 2,088th in the World, 44th in Africa and 9th in Nigeria; while Landmark University, another private university ranked 2,266th in the World, occupying 65th and 10th positions in Africa and Nigeria respectively.
The Webometrics university ranking is a ranking system based on the university’s web presence, visibility, and web access.
Contrary to the views held by some people, it is not a ranking of the websites of universities; rather it is a ranking of universities.
Coordinators of the ranking are scientists working at one world-class public research institution with long experience in metrics-guided evaluation.
Webometrics ranking uses both webometric (all missions) and bibliometric (research mission) indicators.
The ranking’s primary objective is to promote open access to the knowledge generated by the university.
Source: Webometrics
