Vision 1:10:500 gains momentum as Egbewole inaugurates Ranking Committee
By Tajudeen Babamale
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has inaugurated a Ranking Steering Committee as part of the strategic efforts targeted at enhancing the institution’s global visibility and academic standing.
Speaking at the inauguration last Tuesday (March 24, 2026) at the Vice Chancellor’s Committee Room, Prof. Egbewole said the event marked a significant step in the University’s drive to actualise its Vision 1:10:500 agenda, which is aimed at positioning the University of Ilorin as the best in Nigeria, among the top 10 universities in Africa, and one of the best 500 in the world.
While stating the importance of institutional ranking in contemporary higher education, the Vice Chancellor noted that universities that fail to prioritise structured ranking processes risk being left behind in global academic reckoning.
He explained that the establishment of the Committee reflects a deliberate decision by his Administration to consolidate its achievements and strategically improve its international competitiveness.
Prof. Egbewole, who is also the Secretary-General of the Association of West African Universities (AWAU), stated that the initiative goes beyond mere participation in global rankings, stressing that it is designed to ensure compliance with established frameworks, adherence to best practices, and steady progress through clearly defined stages of implementation.
He expressed the hope that the Committee would play a critical role in advancing the strategic goals of the University and surpassing set targets.
In his presentation shortly after the inauguration, the Project Manager of the Ranking Implementation Unit, Prof. Suleiman Folorunsho Ambali, described the initiative as a defining feature of the current Administration’s reform agenda. He noted that while the University has recorded notable achievements over the years, a major challenge has been the lack of effective coordination and consolidation of institutional data required for optimal global projection.
Prof. Ambali explained that the Vision 1:10:500 is on course, adding that improved ranking would significantly enhance student enrollment, particularly at the international level, as higher global visibility attracts students from diverse backgrounds beyond Nigeria.
He added that strong performance in global rankings would also boost staff retention and attract high-calibre academics, while strengthening research collaboration with leading institutions worldwide.
According to Prof. Ambali, enhanced collaboration would, in turn, increase access to research funding, grants, and international partnerships, thereby improving the overall capacity and reputation of the University.
The Project Manager further noted that a well-coordinated ranking system would elevate the global reputation of the University and ensure that its research outputs receive wider recognition and influence, including in policy formulation and national development initiatives.
While explaining that the ranking policy is built on the principles of coordination, transparency, and integrity, Prof. Ambali pointed out that the University’s consistency across major global ranking platforms is largely attributable to its adherence to credible data practices and institutional discipline.
He, however, affirmed that the University remains committed to ethical standards and would not engage in data manipulation as he linked this commitment to the institution’s core value of Probitas Doctrina, which underlines integrity as central to its academic identity.
Prof. Ambali, who is a former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services) of the University, reiterated that with the cooperation of all the stakeholders, the Vision 1:10:500 of the current Administration, which is in progress, remains achievable.
