OAU Rated Nigeria’s Best University, Africa’s Eighth Best

Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU) Ile-Ife, Osun State has again been rated the first and the best university in Nigeria and eighth in Africa in the new webometric ranking released Monday by the Cybermetrics Lab of Spain. In a statement by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the university, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, the world-renowned research council improved OAU’s rating from number 14 to eight position in Africa in the ranking circulated round the world. According to the statement, “this is a development that academic analysts and managements of universities in Africa have hailed as a monumental leap for educational advancement in Nigeria. “Also in the history, this is the first time that a Nigerian university would be so ranked consecutively. “The university was, early this year, rated by the Cybermetrics Lab of Spain as the first and the best university in Nigeria and 14th in Africa before the new webometric ranking that was released today (Monday).” In his reaction, Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Bamitale Omole, attributed the giant strides recorded by his administration to the unparalleled research output, administrative acumen, technical know-how of the academic, administrative and technical staff of the university. He added that only a focused leadership, which was the hallmark of his management team, could produce such a spectacular feat. Omole also applauded the dedication to duty of all stakeholders in making sure that the ideals of the founding fathers of the institution become a reality. He therefore urged the federal government not to rest on its oars in improving the funding of education, particularly for the universities, so that the increased penchant for travelling abroad to undergo academic programmes that could be taught better by our lecturers here in Nigeria would be a thing of the past.