UNN ranks second in Nigeria in 2026 AD Scientific Index

2026-03-30 - 15:14

By Alumona Ukwueze NSUKKA—The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has been ranked the second-best university in Nigeria in the 2026 edition of the Alper-Doger Scientific Index, reinforcing its growing reputation as one of the country’s leading academic institutions. The AD Scientific Index is a global ranking system that evaluates universities and individual scholars based on research productivity and impact. Its methodology relies on metrics such as the H-index, i10-index, and citation counts derived from Google Scholar data. In the latest rankings, which assessed 317 Nigerian universities out of 19,336 institutions worldwide, UNN was placed second nationally, outperforming 315 other universities in the country. Globally, the University was ranked 1,197th, while it secured the 30th position in Africa, an indication of its growing academic profile and competitiveness on the continent. University rankings are conducted annually by many international bodies, including the QS World University Rankings, Webometrics Ranking of World Universities, Times Higher Education, among others. These rankings typically assess institutions using various indicators such as research output, citations, teaching quality, and international outlook. The AD Scientific Index ranking comes on the heels of recent assessments by the QS World University Rankings, which placed the University of Nigeria among the top 20 universities in Africa. UNN’s research output has also continued to attract global recognition. Recently, a scholar of the University of Nigeria, Professor Obinna Onwujekwe, was listed among the world’s top researchers in the Talent 100 global ranking, in recognition of his contributions to evidence-based health policy, health systems strengthening, and public health. Reacting to the development, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, expressed happiness with the ranking but stressed that the university would not relent in its pursuit of excellence. “We are encouraged by the recent ranking by the AD Scientific Index. However, we will not rest on our oars until the University of Nigeria is ranked the best in Africa by major global ranking agencies,” he said. Prof. Ortuanya said that his administration will remain focused in its pursuit of upgrading the academic and infrastructural standard of the University.