The Nigerian Tertiary Education Ranking Advisory Committee has announced that the 2026 national ranking of tertiary institutions will be published on December 15, 2026. This announcement was made by the committee's Chairman, Prof. Peter Okebukola, during a press briefing in Abuja.

Okebukola explained that the ranking process is progressing through a structured 17-step procedure and will be submitted to the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, for final approval before its release. He emphasized that this ranking is not merely a competitive exercise but aims to enhance the quality of education by promoting improvements in teaching, research, and overall institutional performance.

The initiative, mandated by the Federal Ministry of Education, is designed to assess universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across 22 performance indicators. These indicators cover various aspects such as teaching quality, research output, academic reputation, and international collaboration, all aimed at fostering a competitive educational environment.

In a related development, Okebukola highlighted that 4,203 Nigerian academics have recently participated in training aimed at improving their ability to publish research in high-impact international journals. This training is part of a broader strategy to boost the global visibility and competitiveness of Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. The training sessions, which took place from October 15 to 17, 2026, included practical exercises where participants acted as journal editors and reviewers, honing their skills in manuscript assessment and response to reviewer comments.

The programme, organized by the Virtual Institute for Capacity Building in Higher Education (VICBHE), featured notable scholars from various institutions, including Prof. Olusola Adesope from Washington State University and Prof. Jibril Baba from Ahmadu Bello University. Participants were introduced to the Okebukola 12-C Test for High-Impact Publication, an assessment tool designed to help researchers evaluate their manuscripts prior to submission.

Among the participants, 23 individuals achieved the highest scores in the combined test and practical assessment, each earning a maximum of 3,060 marks. Institutions with significant participation included Yaba College of Technology, which had 65 successful participants, followed by Lagos State University with 43 and Obafemi Awolowo University with 41.

Additionally, the VICBHE has introduced the Dr. Tunji Alausa Prize, recognizing five vice-chancellors who excelled in the training programme. The recipients include Prof. Elisabeta Smaranda Olarinde of Afe Babalola University and Prof. Oyedunni Sola Arulogun of Chrisland University, among others.

Looking ahead, Okebukola announced plans for another free masterclass in mid-November, focusing on enhancing research visibility and citation impact. This upcoming programme will feature experts from the African Academy of Sciences and Harvard University, aimed at equipping Nigerian academics with essential skills to improve the discoverability and impact of their research publications.

The commitment to enhancing the quality and international competitiveness of Nigerian tertiary institutions is underscored by the ongoing efforts of the ranking committee and the Federal Ministry of Education, as they strive to position Nigeria favorably in global educational standings.