Nigeria has the highest representation, with 41 universities ranked, up from 37 last year, according to the Times Higher Education (THE) Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) University Rankings 2024, which were released today.

The 2024 Rankings show that Nigeria has more than double the number of ranked institutions of any other SSA country, with its highest-ranked university being the American University of Nigeria at number 12.

Nigeria is also the most represented country at the top of the table, with 13 universities in the elite top 50, followed by South Africa with eight and Ghana with seven.

In all, 15 of the ranked SSA countries have at least one institution in the top 50.

Nigeria boasts the highest number of newly ranked institutions with 15 debutants, followed by Kenya with 10 new additions.

For overall representation, Kenya has the second highest number of institutions ranked with 15 and Ghana follows with 11. Somalia and South Africa each have 10 universities on the table.

The SSA University Rankings 2024 are calculated using five pillars, with each pillar made up of several metrics given varying weightings.

The pillars are: resources and finance; access and fairness; student engagement; ethical leadership; and Africa impact.

Nigeria outperforms the rest of SSA in the Africa impact pillar, with an average score of 49.8 – the SSA average is 48.4. This is mostly down to its success in the pan-African citations metric.

With regards to the other four pillars, Nigeria has lower average scores than the SSA average, however, it does lead the ethical leadership pillar with Landmark University, which boasts an impressive score of 96.8.

Despite below-SSA average scores for four pillars, Nigeria still manages relatively high scores in ethical leadership, 68.8, and in student engagement, 62 (SSA average is 62.5).

In the second edition of the rankings, the University of Johannesburg has jumped forward one place to take the number one spot. South Africa holds all three top places.

The University of Pretoria is in second place (up from fourth), and former number one, the University of the Witwatersrand, is now in third place.

South Africa also holds tenth place with newcomer institution the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

At the top of the table, Somalia joins the top 10 with SIMAD University in seventh place. Rwanda boasts the best newcomer, with the University of Rwanda going straight into the top 10 in sixth place. Rwanda’s highest-ranked institution overall is UGHE—University of Global Health Equity—in fourth place, up from eighth.

Ghana has two universities in the top 10, the University of Ghana in fifth place up from 17, and Ashesi University in ninth position (no move).

Uganda also holds a top-10 spot with Makerere University in eighth position, down from five.

Five new countries join the rankings: Namibia, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and Eswatini. Namibia leads the newcomers, with the University of Namibia in joint 13th place. Côte d’Ivoire is represented by four institutions, while each of the other debutant countries has one institution ranked.

Phil Baty, THE’s chief global affairs officer, said: “The Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings are different from other international rankings as they focus not on metrics developed with an eye on the global north’s leading institutions and the global north’s priorities, but on metrics that matter most to the development of nations south of the Sahara—including access and inclusion, economic growth, sustainability and African impact.

“Times Higher Education is proud to have developed this ranking in deep partnership with African institutions and organisations themselves to deliver a set of benchmarks with real, focused impact.”

The Federal Ministry of Education has announced that students found guilty of physical assault causing bodily harm will face indefinite suspension from Unity Colleges across Nigeria.

The decision comes in response to rising cases of violence and bullying among students, according to a memo signed by the Permanent Secretary, Nasir Gwarzo, in Abuja.

The ministry described the situation as alarming cruel and inhuman acts of physical assault that inflict bodily injury on other students by fellow students or groups of students.

It also disclosed that any student or group of students found culpable of physical assault leading to bodily injury on another student or group of students will be suspended indefinitely from the college.

The ministry , however, instructed college administrators to strictly comply with the new directive.

It urged the college administrators to inform Student-Based Management Committee members and parents accordingly.

The statement read, “The attention of the ministry has been drawn to the cruel and inhuman acts of physical assault that inflict bodily injury on other students by fellow students or groups of students.

“In addition to the punishments in the ministry’s approved uniform guidelines for offences and punishments, the ministry has directed that henceforth, any student or group of students found culpable of physical assault leading to bodily injury on another student or group of students will be suspended indefinitely from the college.

“Ensure that you comply strictly with the content of this circular and inform the SBMC members and parents accordingly.

“College administrators have been instructed to strictly comply with the new directive and to inform Student-Based Management Committee members and parents accordingly.”

This punishment follows a recent incident shown in a viral video at the Federal Government College, Enugu, where 13 Senior Secondary School 1 students were accused of brutally assaulting a fellow student.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, then ordered the immediate suspension of the implicated students for six weeks to allow for a thorough investigation.

The West African Examination Counci (WAEC) has banned 13 schools in Kogi for various degrees of examination malpractices in the 2023/2024 examinations.

The state’s Commissioner for Education, Mr. Wemi Jones, made the disclosure during a meeting with some principals and supervisors who were indicted by WAEC for the examination malpractices.

The commissioner also disclosed that the council had blacklisted 14 supervisors for various degrees of malpractices in the 2023/2024 West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in the state.

According to him, Government has vowed to sanction school principals, teachers and supervisors who engaged or aided examination malpractices in the state.

Jones emphasized that examination malpractices remained a criminal offence and would be treated in accordance with the Law.

He said that henceforth exam malpractice offenders would be prosecuted in accordance with Kogi State Education Law and Other Matters Connected Therewith, 2020.

He stated that a committee would be set up to be headed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary to investigate personalities indicted by WAEC.

The commissioner warned that whosoever was found wanting would be prosecuted in the Law Court.

“Kogi State has invested so much in Education and will no longer tolerate the attitude of the ‘bad eggs’ drawing back the gains already made in education sector,” Jones said.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Dr. Seidu Jibrin, admonished the principals and the supervisors to desist from any act of examination malpractice.

According to him, such actions are not just robbing the state but destroying the future of the students.

“I urge you to have a sober reflection of your actions as posterity will judge everyone according to his/her deeds.

“While some teachers are being called out for awards, it will be wrong for you to be called out for condemnations.

“It is unfortunate that this is happening when Kogi State is investing so much in Education, whosoever is found culpable will be severely sanctioned

The Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UniZik), Awka, has faulted the recent letter from the Federal Ministry of Education, claiming the dissolution of its Governing Council and removal of Professor Bernard Odoh as Vice-Chancellor.

The letter, signed by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, cited alleged breaches of university regulations and disregard for directives as reasons for the decision.

According to the Ministry, the Governing Council had appointed an unqualified Vice-Chancellor, an action it claimed is stoking tension and a breakdown of order within the institution.

But, in a swift reaction, Unizik management dismissed the Ministry’s letter which it said is intended to set fire on the institution.

The Personal Assistant to UniZik’s Vice-Chancellor on Information and Public Relations, Charles Otu, in the statement, contended that the Ministry lacked the authority to neither dissolve the Governing Council nor remove the Vice-Chancellor, citing provisions of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Act, LFN 2004, which reserves such powers for the President as the Visitor to the university.

Otu said the dissolution of the council was a “mischievous” attempt to destabilize the university, and argued that the Ministry’s actions by-passed the proper channels, as the Governing Council members and the Vice-Chancellor had not been formally questioned or notified.

He maintained that the appointment of Professor Odoh followed due process and had been widely accepted by stakeholders, even as he accused the Ministry of acting in contempt of court, as multiple lawsuits concerning the Vice-Chancellor’s appointment are currently before the National Industrial Court.

Otu emphasised that the matter is sub- judice, rendering the Ministry’s actions premature and inappropriate.

Contrary to the Ministry’s claims of a “breakdown of law and order,” the university stated that its campuses remain calm and that Professor Odoh has been discharging his duties without rancour.

He questioned the authenticity of the letter, noting that it was signed by a Public Relations Director rather than the Permanent Secretary or Minister of Education.

Otu criticized the absence of formal communication with the Governing Council’s chairman, Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe.

He urged the public and its community to remain calm, insisting that the courts should determine the legality of the actions of the Ministry.

“Let peace continue to reign supreme in our revered citadel of learning,” he said.

He reiterated its commitment to upholding the rule of law and called for an expedited resolution of the matter through judicial processes.

President Bola Tinubu has sacked the new Vice Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, Anambra State, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and also dissolved the governing council of the institution.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, adding that Tinubu also sacked NAU’s Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.

The dissolved council, led by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, included five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, and Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.

“The sacking of the governing council and officials followed reports that the council illegally appointed an unqualified vice-chancellor without following due process,” Onanuga said.

He said the controversial appointment drew the attention of the Federal Government after tensions arose between the institution’s Senate and the governing council.

He said the government expressed concern over the council’s apparent disregard for the university’s governing laws in its selection process.

Onanuga further stated that the President approved the removal of the Pro-chancellor and Chairman of the governing council of the Federal University of Health Sciences in Otukpo, Benue State, Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami.

The decision followed Salami’s illegal actions, including suspending the Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, the presidential spokesman said.

“Despite the Federal Ministry of Education’s call for the unlawful suspension to be revoked, Engr. Salami refused to comply. Instead, he resorted to abusive and threatening behaviour towards the Ministry’s Directors, including the Permanent Secretary,” he said.

The Federal Government reiterated that the primary responsibility of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of university activities in accordance with the act establishing each university.

According to Onanuga, Tinubu warned the councils not to create distractions in their universities as his government is focused on improving the country’s education standards.

Nigeria has cemented its status as a top provider of international students to the United States, securing the seventh position worldwide and leading in Africa, as highlighted in the 2024 Open Doors Report on International Education Exchange.

This information was shared by the US Embassy in a statement on Tuesday.

In the 2023/2024 academic year, 20,029 students from Nigeria enrolled in American colleges and universities, reflecting a 13.5 percent increase compared to the previous year.

The report, unveiled during International Education Week, also showed that US institutions are now hosting a record 1,126,690 international students, the largest number ever recorded.

Here are the paraphrased versions of the sentences:

Nigerian students form a substantial portion of this group, recognized for their academic achievements and dedication to pursuing higher education.

Over 55 percent of Nigerian students in the United States are engaged in graduate studies, contributing to the academic and cultural diversity of American universities.

“The report reveals that US colleges and universities host a record-breaking 1,126,690 international students this year, marking an all-time high for international enrolment.

“This milestone aligns with the 75th anniversary of the Open Doors Report, the leading benchmark for international educational exchange in the United States.

“Notably, Nigeria, with 20,029 students, reinforces its position as the top sending country from Africa and the seventh largest globally,” the statement said.

The consistent rise in Nigerian student enrolment highlights the growing desire for US education and the deepening relationship between the two countries.

The statement further emphasized that educational exchanges play a key role in reinforcing these ties, fostering mutual understanding and global cooperation.

Sub-Saharan Africa continues to be the fastest-expanding region for international education, with a 13% increase in student mobility this year, building on an 18% growth in 2022/2023.

“Sub-Saharan Africa’s student mobility grew by 13 per cent in 2023/24, maintaining its position as the fastest-growing region for the second year, following an 18 per cent increase in 2022/23.

“The influx of Nigerian students is a testament to the robust educational ties between the US and Nigeria,” it added.

The Open Doors Report, released by the Institute of International Education in partnership with the US Department of State, acts as a standard for worldwide educational exchange.

It was launched during International Education Week, a program designed to promote cultural exchange and encourage aspiring leaders to consider studying in the United States.