The Federal Government has mandated participation in the national tertiary education ranking scheme for all universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across the country.
Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa announced the policy shift in Abuja during a meeting with the newly expanded Nigerian Tertiary Education Ranking Advisory Committee.
Alausa explained that broadening the framework aims to boost quality, accountability, performance, and global competitiveness across Nigeria’s entire higher education landscape.
He noted that the system gives schools clear performance metrics to address weaknesses, measure progress, and foster healthy academic rivalry.
Under this unified arrangement, all higher institutions will be evaluated together, with funding provided through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.
“The 2026/2027 ranking exercise for universities would commence in September, while the committee would determine the appropriate timeline for extending the exercise to polytechnics and colleges of education,” Alausa stated.
He added that formal guidelines are being drawn up, and official directives will be issued to notify all university vice-chancellors and institutional heads that compliance is mandatory.
The minister anchored the policy in President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which is currently being driven through the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative.
To ensure long-term viability, the Ministry of Education promised to deliver policy leadership, direct funding, and comprehensive capacity-building support.
Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, endorsed the move, stating, “Healthy competition is essential to encouraging institutions to assess their performance, address identified gaps and consistently improve the quality of education they provide.”
