The 2017/2018/2019 academic sessions saw some Nigerian universities produce a high number of First-Class graduates. The Covenant University, a private university, led the pack with a record 215 First Class graduates out of a total of 1,580 graduands in the last academic session.
While many would argue that such high number of distinctions could only be possible in a private institution where school fees have hit the roof and assessment models are more flexible, some public universities in the country are also known to produce First Class graduates in great numbers.
Although comparatively, private universities appeared to have been more “generous” , especially when you consider the number of First-Class awards against the number of total graduands for each academic session.
THE WHISTLER conducted a research on public universities that produce more First-Class graduates and found a connection between the quality of their products and what the institutions claim about themselves.
But the research was limited to only 13 federal universities excluding specialized universities. It also excluded state and private universities.
Out of a total of 13 universities, investigation has shown that only six have produced more first -class graduates in the 2017/2018/2019 sessions.
The 13 universities surveyed are: Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife; University of Ibadan; University of Ilorin; University of Nigeria Nsukka; University of Abuja and University of Lagos.
Others are the University of Benin, University of Jos, University of Maiduguri, University of Port Harcourt, University of Calabar and Bayero University, Kano.
The universities that produced more First-Class products in the 2017/2018/2019 session are Bayero University, Kano, University of Ibadan, University of Ilorin and University of Lagos. Others are the University of Benin and University of Nigeria Nsukka.
The Universities:
University of Ibadan (2016/2017)
Total no of graduates- 7,577
No of First-Class- 201
No of Second Class Upper- 1,735
U.I on its website says it wants “To be a world-class institution for academic excellence geared towards meeting societal needs; to expand the frontiers of knowledge through provision of excellent conditions for learning and research, and to produce graduates who are worthy in character and sound judgement.”
University of Ilorin (2017/2018)
Total no of graduates-12,108
No of First-Class- 103
No of Second Class Upper- 2,553
“University of Ilorin is one of the foremost universities in the sub-Saharan African with uninterrupted academic programme for over 16 years. Its products have excelled in several sectors nationally and internationally,” the university describes itself in a statement.
University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN (2017/2018)
Total no of graduates – 11,681
No of First Class – 174
No of Second Class Upper – 3,725
The university describes itself thus “University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) is the first full-fledged indigenous university in Nigeria. Renowned for its academic excellence as an elite university in Africa, UNN has been at the forefront of providing world class education in Africa for over 56 years.”
University of Lagos (2017/2018)
Total no of graduates- 12,811
No of First-Class- 271
No of Second Class Upper- 2,277
This is how the university describes itself: “University of Lagos is a leading institution dedicated to quality teaching, learning, research and community service. We have over the past few years developed leaders in many disciplines through our various programmes. As the university of First Choice and the Nation’s pride, we place great premium on the development and welfare of our staff and students both at the undergraduate and post graduate levels.”
University of Benin (2017/2018)
Total no of graduates – 8,276
No of First Class – 134
Second Class Upper – 2,122
Uniben as it is fondly called says on its website about itself: “To develop the human mind to be creative, innovative, competent in areas of specialization, knowledgeable in entrepreneurship and dedicated to service.”
Bayero University Kano (2017/2018)
Total Number of Graduates- 9,571
Number of First-Class- 105
The university on its website says it is “Committed to addressing African developmental challenges through cutting-edge research, knowledge transfer and training of high-quality graduates.”
Interestingly, none of these universities are in the top 1000 universities in the world. In fact there is no Nigerian university in the world according to QS university ranking of 2019. Only three universities in South Africa and one in Egypt made the list. There are University of the Western Cape, South Africa, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Rhodes University, South Africa and Assint University, Egypt.
QS top universities in the world features 1,000 of the most prestigious universities in the world. It is ranked based on metrics which include reputation amongst academics and employers.
But the universities and others were included in the African ranking of 200 universities, which is based on the number of traffic on the university’s websites.
And this is how the six Nigerian universities are ranked in the 200 African Universities.
University of Lagos – 14
University of Ibadan – 15
University of Nigeria, Nsukka – 22
University of Ilorin – 27
University of Benin – 74
Bayero University, Kano – 156.