Adonis & Abbey Publishers has called for a critical reassessment of global university ranking systems as they relate to Africa, during its 23rd anniversary webinar themed “Africa in the World University Ranking.”
In his opening remarks, the convener and publisher of Adonis & Abbey Publishers stressed that while global rankings are widely accepted as a benchmark for measuring academic excellence, the criteria used in determining such standards remain contentious.
“We believe this is a global standard, but the yardstick for this standard is what is in question today,” he said. “There is a need to interrogate this issue, as it lies at the heart of African education. Many universities across the continent face funding challenges and continue to question both the relevance and fairness of these ranking systems.”
The webinar, moderated by Professor Anthony Nwafor, a Professor of Law and Editor-in-Chief of the African Journal of Law and Justice System.
Delivering the lead presentation, Professor Olusola Oyewole spoke on the topic “What World Rankings Mean to African Universities.” He raised concerns over the persistent underrepresentation of African universities in global rankings despite the continent having over 1,200 higher institutions.
“Why are African universities still underrepresented in global rankings?” he queried, noting that systemic challenges continue to hinder their visibility and competitiveness.
Professor Oyewole identified inadequate investment in research and development (R&D) as a major limitation. According to him, many African countries invest less than 0.5 percent of their GDP in R&D, in stark contrast to Western nations that allocate significantly higher funding to research.
He further highlighted weak citation metrics as another critical factor affecting rankings, explaining that African research outputs often receive limited global visibility and recognition. Additionally, he noted that universities on the continent struggle to attract international students, a key indicator in most global ranking frameworks.
The discussions at the webinar underscored the need for African institutions and governments to rethink funding strategies, strengthen research capacity, and enhance global collaboration in order to improve their standing in international rankings.
The webinar formed part of activities marking the 23rd anniversary of Adonis & Abbey Publishers, a leading academic publishing house committed to advancing scholarship and intellectual discourse across Africa.
