Ambali rallies staff behind UNILORIN ranking vision
By Tajudeen Babamale
The Project Manager in-charge of Ranking at the University of Ilorin, Prof. Suleiman Folorunsho Ambali, has appealed to members of staff of the University to regard the institution’s ranking as a personal responsibility, stressing that achieving greater global recognition requires the collective commitment of every member of the University community.
Prof. Ambali, who made the call last Tuesday (July 28, 2026) while addressing members of the University community at the Vice Chancellor’s In-House Committee Meeting (VCHC) held at the Auditorium Basement, appreciated the University community for their dedication and contributions to the impressive performance of the institution in various global ranking exercises, noting that it has continued to record significant progress despite stiff international competition.
The Project Manager, who is also a former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), explained that although the University has gained considerable momentum in recent years, it is yet to fully realise the ambitious vision of positioning the University among the world’s leading universities as envisioned by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN.
According to Prof. Ambali, one of the major challenges confronting the University’s ranking efforts is that most international ranking organisations do not assess universities based on a single year’s performance but rather evaluate cumulative achievements over a period of five to six years.
While explaining that since the present administration assumed office in late 2022, many of the rankings currently being released still reflect data from years preceding the administration, the Project Manager cited the SCImago Institutions Rankings, Times Higher Education and Webometrics as examples of ranking bodies that rely on multi-year data for their assessments.
He explained that the 2026 SCImago ranking, for instance, was based on institutional performance between 2020 and 2024, meaning that many of the reforms and strategic initiatives introduced by the current administration are yet to be fully reflected in the results.
According to him, challenges inherited from previous years continue to influence the University’s current standing, adding that it will take some time before the impact of the present administration’s interventions become fully visible in global rankings.
Prof. Ambali, therefore, stressed the need for a sustainable and long-term strategy, noting that other universities are also making deliberate efforts to improve their positions in international rankings. He observed that members of the University community have not yet embraced institutional ranking with the same seriousness they accord their personal achievements, urging staff to see the University’s success as their own collective success.
The Project Manager, who is also a former Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, expressed optimism that the University would record a stronger performance in its transparency ranking when the next edition of the Webometrics Ranking is released in January 2027.
While mentioning the impressive performance of the University in the latest SCImago Institutions Rankings, Prof. Ambali announced that the institution’s Aquatic Science programme was ranked first in Nigeria and 18th in Africa, while Veterinary Science emerged third in Nigeria and 36th in Africa. He added that Mathematics ranked third in Nigeria and 43rd in Africa, Computer Science was placed fourth in Nigeria and 73rd in Africa, while Animal Science and Zoology ranked second in Nigeria and 50th in Africa.
Similarly, he said Surgery was ranked second in Nigeria and 10th in Africa, Library and Information Science placed third in Nigeria and 10th in Africa, while Physics and Astronomy ranked sixth in Nigeria and 69th in Africa.
Prof. Ambali further revealed that Arts and Humanities was ranked sixth in Nigeria and 47th in Africa, a performance he said demonstrates that the University is excelling not only in STEM disciplines but also in the broader STEAM ecosystem.
The Professor of Environmental and Veterinary Toxicology, who maintained that the institution has the capacity to attain even higher rankings if identified areas of weakness are systematically addressed, however, assured members of staff that the Ranking Implementation Unit remains open to constructive suggestions and innovative ideas that could help overcome existing limitations and strengthen the University’s global competitiveness.
He also noted that this was the first time the SCImago Institutions Rankings had comprehensively ranked the University of Ilorin, describing the feat as a clear indication that the quality, relevance and impact of the University’s researches are gaining international recognition.
The Project Manager, Ranking also announced that the U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings, which traditionally focused on universities in the United States, recently expanded its coverage to include Nigerian universities.
According to him, only seven Nigerian universities met the criteria for inclusion in the latest ranking, with the University of Ilorin emerging fifth nationally, a development he described as another testament to the institution’s growing international reputation.
He, therefore, urged new Deans and Directors to work closely with the University Ranking Unit by supporting initiatives aimed at improving research output, institutional visibility, international collaborations and digital presence.
Prof. Ambali expressed confidence that with sustained commitment from all stakeholders, the University would record even more remarkable improvements in subsequent ranking exercises. He added that the various reforms being implemented by the University management would begin to yield more visible results as newer ranking cycles increasingly capture the achievements of the current administration.
