By Stella Odueme
The Tinubu Media Volunteers (TMV) has commended the Federal Government for the growing global recognition of Nigeria’s tertiary education system, following the inclusion of 29 Nigerian universities in the 2027 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.
The group described the development as a significant achievement for the country, noting that Nigeria recorded the highest representation of any country in Sub-Saharan Africa.
In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Chukwudi Enekwechi, and Secretary, Segun Ogedengbe, TMV said the increase in the number of Nigerian universities featuring in the global rankings reflected growing progress in the higher education sector.
According to the group, the number of Nigerian universities represented in the rankings rose from 24 in 2025 to 29 in 2026, with five institutions making their debut in the rankings this year.
TMV further noted that federal universities accounted for five of the seven Nigerian institutions ranked among the world's top 1,200 universities, describing the performance as an indication of the country's potential to strengthen its position in global academia.
The group attributed the development to reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration and efforts by the Ministry of Education to improve the quality, competitiveness and international visibility of Nigerian tertiary institutions.
It stated that the Renewed Hope Agenda for Education and the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative had placed greater emphasis on research excellence, innovation, institutional performance and global competitiveness.
TMV said these policy priorities were helping to create an environment for improved institutional performance and greater participation of Nigerian universities in international assessments.
The organisation also commended the Tinubu administration for what it described as improved stability in the university system since the beginning of the administration.
It noted that Nigerian universities had experienced a period without industrial actions, alongside the approval and prompt payment of salaries and allowances.
The group maintained that sustained attention to tertiary education, institutional stability and reforms would further enhance the international reputation of Nigerian universities.
TMV therefore urged the Federal Government to sustain its commitment to the education sector, expressing optimism that continued investment and policy support would strengthen the global standing of the country's higher institutions.