Nigeria, with four universities, leads the pack in the list of Africa’s top 10 tertiary institutions with the best teaching skills according to the Times Higher Education (THE) report.
It is a universal truism that education is a pivotal tool in turning the trajectory of Africa’s socioeconomic growth and development. No doubt, one of the often complained shortfalls of Africa’s tertiary institutions is the teaching quality when compared to their counterparts in Europe or the United States of America, among others.
Given Africa’s teeming youth population, great teaching skills are especially important in the various universities across countries of Africa because of the role higher education institutions developing and equipping the youngsters.
Experts believe effective teaching is the panacea to the continent’s skills mismatch syndrome rocking the labour market in many African countries.
They argue that there is a sizable skills gap in many African economies, which calls for a competence or practical education system especially at the tertiary institution level to bridge the gap.
According to Times Higher Education, many African countries, through the top universities in the continent’s rankings, boast the finest teaching skills in tertiary institutions.
Research has shown that many African countries face development constraints in the areas of poverty alleviation, economic growth, and sustainable development, among others; it is believed that having quality teaching skills in the universities would help address these challenges.
University of Cross River State (UNICROSS)
The University of Cross River State, also known as UNICROSS is a state owned tertiary institution with four campuses spread across four local government areas of Cross River State in Nigeria.
It was established in August 2002 as Cross River University of Technology, but was renamed in 2021.
According to Times Higher Education rankings, UNICROSS comes top of African universities with the best teaching quality index. The university has an index of 85.3 to lead the pack.
Benson Idahosa University
Benson Idahosa University, is a private, Christian university in Benin City, Edo State of Nigeria. It was formerly known as Christian Faith University, and was founded in 2002.
The university comes second in Times Higher Education rankings for African universities with the best teaching quality index. Benson Idahosa scored 84.9 in the teaching quality index.
Rongo University, Kenya
Rongo University, Kenya, started as a technical school in 1970s. it gained its university status in 2011
The university has partnership with many international institutions such as Brighton and Nottingham Trent University.
Rongo University of Kenya is third in the perking order in terms of African universities with the best teaching quality index. According to Times Higher Education for African universities, Rongo has of 84.2.
Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Ghana
Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Ghana, is the country’s foremost technical and vocational education and training, and entrepreneurship institution.
AAMUSTED as it is popularly called is home to top-notch professionals who handle the institution’s courses and programmes. The university ranked fourth with 83.7 points in its index according to Times Higher Education rankings for African universities with the best teaching quality index.
Ardhi University, Tanzania
Ardhi University of Tanzania is a public academic institution established under the Ardhi University Charter of 2007.
The university simply known as ARU, though established in 2007 has been offering training for more than 60 years in different status.
According to Times Higher Education rankings for African universities with the best teaching quality index, ARU is placed fifth with an index of 81.6.
Umaru Musa Yar’adua University
Umaru Musa Yar’adua University was founded by the state government as Katsina University in 2006.
In 2010, the Katsina State government of Nigeria renamed the institution in honour of its demised former governor.
The university is considered the sixth best university in Africa in terms of teaching quality, according to Times Higher Education rankings with a teaching quality index of 80.7.
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) was established as a specialized university on January 1, 1988 by the federal government of Nigeria with a tripodal mandate of teaching, research and extension services.
FUNAAB is placed seventh in the ranking of African universities with the best teaching quality index, according to Times Higher Education with an index of 79.0.
ISBAT University, Uganda
The International Business, Science and Technology (ISBAT) University in Kampala, Uganda is noted for its experience learning output among the best universities in Uganda and Africa in general.
It was founded in 2006 but was recognised as a university in 2016.
According to Times Higher Education rankings, ISBAT University is ranked eight as an institution with the best teaching quality index at 79.0.
Ashesi University, Ghana
Ashesi University in Ghana is recognised as one of the finest universities in Africa, with a proven track record of preparing students for leadership and service.
The university was founded in 2002 with the mission to educate ethical, entrepreneurial leaders in Africa to cultivate within students the critical thinking skills, the concerns for others, and the courage to transform the continent.
It is ranked ninth best teaching quality Index University in Africa with 78.5 by Times Higher Education rankings.
University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
The University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa is a multi-campus public research university. The Witts as it is commonly known was founded in 1922 and has its roots in the mining industry.
According to Times Higher Education rankings, Witts is placed 10th as the university with the best teaching quality index in Africa at 77.9.
The method of the ranking according to THE entails gathering data directly from universities current students and bibliometrics.
For the teaching index, the overarching technique focuses on four critical areas, which THE refers to as pillars: resources, engagement, outcomes, and environment.
