Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has retained its rating as the best Nigerian University in academic, administrative, research and community service.
This is contained in a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Mr Abiodun Olarewaju, on Friday in Ile-Ife.
Olarewaju noted in the statement that the rating emanated from the latest web ranking of world universities conducted by a research group called Cybermetrics Lab of Spain.
According to him, the research group belongs to the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC) reputed to be the largest public research body in the world on its website www.webometrics.info/en/Africa/Nigeria.
He said Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in the latest ranking, which was released last Monday beat Universities of Lagos and Ilorin to 2nd and 3rd positions respectively.
According to him, this is the first time in the history of higher education in Nigeria where a particular university, like OAU, would maintain being the first and the best in the country for more than four consecutive times.
Reacting to this development, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Bamitale Omole, applauded the ranking.
Omole ascribed the rating of OAU for the past years to the hard work and dedication to duty of the academic, administrative and technical staff.
He said that OAU’s Midas torch has placed the university far above more than one hundred (100) other universities in Nigeria.
The vice-chancellor reiterated his determination to make training and re-training of staff his topmost priority.
He added that he would not rest on his oars until Obafemi Awolowo University becomes the best in Africa, and one of the top ten in the world.
Omole urged the Federal Government to inject more funds into the university education, especially Obafemi Awolowo University.
He also called on the alumni of the university to come to the aid of their alma mater by contributing their widow’s mite to the overall development of the institution.
