…As many Nigerian varsities battle with stunted growth
Covenant University, a private Christian-based institution in Ota, Ogun State, has for many years been ranked as the best university in Nigeria by international organisations.
In the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) World Universities Rankings, Covenant University was once again ranked top of other Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The university was ranked 800-1000 in the world, and best in the country with an overall rating of 34.5-38.1, teaching 23.1, research environment 25.0, research quality 51.0, industry 53.9 and international outlook 47.2.
In 2024, Covenant University was rated 201-1000 in the world, and as the best tertiary institution in Nigeria according to THE Universities Rankings with a record of accommodating 8,940 students then, and at a gender ratio of 37:63.
The university continued with its excellent performance that in a space of six years, it emerged as the best ranked tertiary institution in Nigeria four times- 2020, 2023, 2024 and 2025, leaving 2021 and 2022 top spot for the University of Ibadan (UI).
Insider sources said that the success story of Covenant University was deliberately planned and executed.
Research environment/quality
The Covenant University’s Centre for Research, Innovation and Discovery (CUCRID) stimulates new research and development initiatives that are gaining respect and recognition within the international community.
CUCRID was an endeavour that was started with a clear plan and strategy to put the institution ahead of its peers.
The authorities at the university ventured into building CUCRID with the aim of being among the top 10 research-intensive universities in the world.
CUCRID is obviously a radical departure from what many Nigerian researchers were used to.
A member of the university management team, who would not want to be mentioned told BusinessDay that the research centre was set up to create a suitable environment to foster research, creativity, invention, and innovation and raise a new generation of leaders in research who will drive sustainable development and restore the dignity of the black man.
According to Times Higher Education ranking, Covenant University scored 25.0 and 51.0 in research environment and research quality respectively.
The university has received accolades from both local and international bodies leading to its prestigious higher education ranking among universities in the world.
Read also: Covenant beats UI, OAU to emerge best university in Nigeria, 7th in Africa
Quality faculty staff and industry relationship
Covenant University’s faculty members are among the best in Africa and beyond. The university also has a system in place that enables it to cultivate robust relationship with industries, which is seen as the ultimate beneficiary of its research works.
It also organises what is termed “town and gowns” seminars. In fact, each department of the university is mandated to organise at least, three of such seminars each semester.
Covenant University also ensures that the institution participates in fairs and exhibitions geared towards showcasing its innovations and discoveries to industries and entrepreneurs.
One of the challenges noticeable in many public universities across the country is the exodus of lecturers.
Speaking on how brain drain is affecting many public universities, Stanley Alaubi, a senior lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, said: “Truth is Nigerian public universities are losing quality lecturers because of poor welfare package.
“I think mental work is one of the most difficult tasks. Lecturers are mentally drained, yet nothing to show for it. Imagine a professor in the federal university not being able to go home with half a million after deductions.”
In addition, he said: “If you juxtapose the pay of Nigeria public lecturers with those in other countries, you would see that ours is a far cry.”
Similarly, Stanley Boroh, a lecturer at the Federal University, Otuoke, affirmed that public universities are indeed losing quality lecturers due to poor reward system in place.
“Indeed, we are losing lecturers, there is brain drain due to poor reward system; and aside the poor remuneration, people don’t have a good working environment to work and this can impede productivity,” he said.
According to him, the reward system is so bad that no professor in a federal university earns up to N500,000 as take home pay.
Aside this, Boroh explained that the recruitment process is faulty, where people are employed based on nepotism and not on merit.
Proper funding
Covenant University has constantly striven to eliminate for its research staff, most of the problems associated with the research efforts in Nigerian universities.
This, it has done by funding internal grants, support for conference attendance, and publications; improved research environment through acquisition of relevant and sophisticated research infrastructure for high-end researches, motivation of faculty staff and students through capacity building initiative such as workshops on research, report and grant writing skills, and good reward and recognition system.
International outlook
Covenant University, unlike many public tertiary institutions does not toy with its visibility goals. The university facilitates opportunities for its researchers and faculty staff to establish local, regional and international collaborations through participation in conferences and international visiting scholar programmes.
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