FG Orders National Ranking of Nigerian Tertiary Institutions on 22 Indicators

The Federal Government has commenced a 2026 national ranking of Nigerian tertiary institutions, with Education Minister Tunji Alausa directing the Nigerian Tertiary Education Ranking Advisory Committee (NiTERAC), chaired by Professor Peter Okebukola, to assess universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the country.

Okebukola disclosed the development in a presentation on Nigeria’s performance in the 2027 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, saying the three subsector rankings are expected to be completed by December 15, 2026.

Under the framework, Nigerian universities will be assessed using 22 indicators, with the weightings agreed with the League of Directors of Academic Planning.

The exercise is intended to establish a national benchmark for measuring institutional performance, identifying areas that need improvement and encouraging healthy competition among public and private tertiary institutions.

According to Okebukola, the initiative is also aimed at positioning Nigeria’s tertiary education system for stronger performance in international rankings.

The expansion of the exercise beyond universities means that polytechnics and colleges of education will also be covered under the 2026 assessment. This will provide a broader national picture of performance across the major categories of tertiary education.

READ ALSO:

• Edo Police Arrest 37-Year-Old Man Over Alleged Rape of 70-Year-Old Woman
• Why Ronaldo Left Portugal Camp Ahead of Denmark Clash
• 2027: Amaechi Vows to Resign If Nigeria Fails to Change Within One Year

The development comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s improved representation in the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

A total of 29 Nigerian universities featured in the 2027 global ranking, compared with 24 in the previous edition, giving Nigeria the highest number of ranked institutions in sub-Saharan Africa.

The University of Ibadan, University of Lagos and Covenant University were placed in the global 801–1,000 band, while Ahmadu Bello University, Bayero University, Landmark University and the University of Ilorin were placed in the 1,001–1,200 category.

Another 32 Nigerian universities were listed in the Reporter category. Reporter status applies to institutions that submitted data but did not meet one or more requirements for inclusion in the ranked tables.

Okebukola’s assessment noted that only 29 of the 328 universities listed by the National Universities Commission (NUC) appeared in the ranked category.

It also identified areas including research funding, publication output, institutional data management and international collaboration as requiring sustained attention across the sector. Differences in teaching, research quality, industry engagement and international outlook were also highlighted.

The national ranking is expected to give institutions a domestic framework for assessing their performance and identifying gaps, while providing policymakers with data that can support decisions on tertiary education development.

The committee is expected to undertake data collection and validation before finalising the rankings for the three subsectors ahead of the December 15 deadline.

The outcome will provide a new national reference point for assessing Nigerian universities, polytechnics and colleges of education and tracking their performance over time.

FG Orders National Ranking of Nigerian Tertiary Institutions on 22 Indicators

FG Releases 2026–2028 Approved Textbooks, Introduces QR Codes for Tracking

The Federal Government has released the final list of approved and ranked textbooks for use in Nigerian schools from 2026 to 2028, covering selected classes in primary and secondary education.

The Federal Ministry of Education said the release followed the completion of the first phase of the National Textbook Ranking System, a new framework designed to improve the quality, relevance, transparency and accountability of instructional materials used in schools.

The first phase covers Primary 1, Primary 4, Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS 1) and Senior Secondary School 1 (SS 1).

The ministry said every textbook on the approved list has been assigned a unique Ranking/QR Tracking Code, alongside details such as the book title, author, publisher and year of publication.

The QR-based system is intended to make it easier for education authorities and other stakeholders to identify approved textbooks and monitor their use, while helping to curb the circulation of materials that have not passed the required assessment and ranking processes.

The exercise was carried out under the supervision of the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad.

The government said the new system represents a shift from the previous approach, which focused primarily on textbook approval, to a process that also ranks books according to established quality and curriculum standards.

Under the new arrangement, only nationally ranked and approved textbooks are to be used in public schools for the affected classes.

The Federal Government has also indicated that the number of titles approved for individual subjects will be controlled, generally ranging from six to 10 textbooks, depending on curriculum requirements.

The policy is intended to reduce the proliferation of textbooks of varying quality and give schools a more manageable pool of materials from which to select.

READ ALSO:

• 24 Hours in Darkness: Iju Ishaga Residents, Businesses Count Losses as Ikeja Electric Fails to Restore Power
• TCAN Honours Dangote Cement Transport for Safety, Logistics Excellence
• Osogbo Food Bonanza Turns Nightmare as Discount Vendor Vanishes With Customers’ Millions

The government has further stated that ranked textbooks are expected to remain valid for at least three years, providing greater stability for schools, parents and learners and reducing the frequency with which families may be required to purchase new textbooks.

The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) is responsible for the assessment and ranking process.

NERDC had earlier explained that textbooks submitted for the affected classes would undergo assessment against prescribed standards. Previously assessed textbooks were also required to be resubmitted because the new process incorporates ranking in addition to approval.

The 2026 textbook ranking exercise is being implemented in three phases. While the first phase covers Primary 1, Primary 4, JSS 1 and SS 1, the second phase will cover Primary 2, Primary 5, JSS 2 and SS 2.

The third phase will cover Primary 3, Primary 6, JSS 3 and SS 3, completing the ranking process across the major class levels.

The government has also announced measures aimed at reducing the cost of participation for publishers. The textbook assessment fee was reduced from ₦2,000 to ₦1,500 per page, while the ranking fee was reduced from ₦1 million to ₦750,000 per title.

The textbook reforms are also linked to a broader government policy encouraging the production of more durable instructional materials.

The Federal Ministry of Education has promoted textbooks that can be reused over several academic sessions and discouraged the practice of bundling disposable workbooks with textbooks where this would increase costs for families.

The ministry has said the durability policy is aimed at making educational materials more affordable and sustainable, particularly for households with children in multiple school classes.

The introduction of QR tracking codes is also expected to improve traceability and accountability within the textbook supply chain.

The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), through the HOPE-EDU programme, is separately implementing a book supply-chain Track ‘N’ Trace system designed to improve monitoring of the distribution of learning materials from procurement to schools and learners.

The Federal Government has urged publishers, schools, education authorities and procurement agencies to consult the official 2026–2028 approved textbook list before selecting or purchasing books for the affected classes.

The ministry said the overall objective is to ensure that learners and teachers have access to quality, curriculum-aligned and properly assessed textbooks, while improving transparency in textbook selection, procurement and distribution across Nigeria’s education system.

FG Releases 2026–2028 Approved Textbooks, Introduces QR Codes for Tracking

MURIC Raises Alarm Over Alleged Hijab Ban, Forced CRK in Ekiti Schools

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Ekiti State Government to investigate allegations that female Muslim students are being denied the use of hijab in public schools and that Muslim students who registered for Islamic Religious Knowledge (IRK) are being made to take Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK).

The organisation made the demand in a statement issued on Monday, September 28, 2026, by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, following allegations raised by the League of Imams and Alfas in Ekiti State.

The League reportedly raised the allegations at its monthly meeting held at the Central Mosque, Iyin-Ekiti, on Thursday, September 24.

MURIC described the allegations as “grave, concerning and unnerving”, arguing that, if established, the reported practices would raise serious questions about religious freedom and the rights of Muslim pupils in public schools.

Akintola said the alleged denial of hijab to Muslim female students was particularly concerning, arguing that Muslim women and girls should be able to observe their religious dress requirements.

“In the 21st century, when hijab is allowed in London, Paris and New York schools, female Muslim students are still being denied the use of hijab in public schools in Ekiti State,” he said.

He questioned the state’s record on religious tolerance, saying the allegations appeared inconsistent with claims of peaceful coexistence and mutual respect among religious communities in Yorubaland.

MURIC also expressed concern over the allegation that Muslim students who had registered for IRK were being compelled to study CRK.

The group described the alleged practice as “anachronistic, myopic and repressive”, and called on the state government to examine the conduct of education officials involved.

Akintola said MURIC was opposed to what it described as “illegal, illegitimate, unlawful and unconstitutional practices” in the state’s education sector.

He further linked the latest allegations to previous incidents involving Muslims in Ekiti, citing an alleged clash between traditionalists and Muslims at Ikun in Moba Local Government Area, during which an imam was reportedly injured and a mosque vandalised.

He also referred to a previous controversy over the proposed demolition of four mosques during the administration of former Governor Ayo Fayose, as well as the reported demolition of Sabo Central Mosque in Aramoko-Ekiti in April 2025.

According to Akintola, the incidents cited by MURIC demonstrated the need for the state government to address complaints concerning religious rights before tensions escalate.

“We therefore charge the Ekiti State Government to investigate the allegations levelled by the League of Imams against Ekiti State education officials with a view to making amends,” he said.

On the constitutional dimension, MURIC cited Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

Akintola argued that Muslim students should not be compelled to receive religious instruction contrary to their faith, while calling on education authorities to ensure that pupils are allowed to practise their religion without discrimination.

He said the allegations, if established, would amount to violations of the rights of Muslim children and urged the Ekiti Government to take corrective measures.

MURIC’s statement, however, characterised the alleged actions in stronger terms, accusing those responsible of religious intolerance and persecution of Muslims.

The organisation consequently urged the state government to investigate the claims made by the League of Imams and ensure that religious freedom and the rights of students are protected in public schools across Ekiti State.

MURIC Raises Alarm Over Alleged Hijab Ban, Forced CRK in Ekiti Schools