As a confirmation of its academic excellence and learning, the Obafemi Awolowo University,  (OAU) Ile-Ife, Osun State has again been rated the first and the best university in Nigeria and eighth in Africa.

A statement made available to THISDAY Monday, by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the university, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, stated that the new webometric ranking  released Monday by the Cybermetrics Lab of Spain (a world-renowned research council) and circulated round the world, moved the OAU higher on the ladder from number 14 to number eight position in Africa.

According to the statement, “this is a development that academic analysts and managements of universities in Africa have hailed as a monumental leap for educational advancement in Nigeria.

“Also in the history, this is the first time that a Nigerian university would be so ranked consecutively.

“The university was, early this year, rated by the Cybermetrics Lab of Spain as the first and the best university in Nigeria and 14th in Africa before the new webometric ranking that was released today (Monday).”

While reacting on the development, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Bamitale Omole, attributed the giant strides recorded by his administration to the unparalleled research output, administrative acumen, technical know-how of the academic, administrative and technical staff of the university.

He added that only a focused leadership, which was the hallmark of his management team, could produce such a spectacular feat.

Omole, however,  applauded the dedication to duty of all stakeholders in making sure that the ideals of the founding fathers of the institution become a reality.

He urged the federal government not to relent in its efforts to improve the funding of education, particularly for the universities, so that the increased penchant for travelling abroad to undergo academic programmes that could be taught better by our lecturers here in Nigeria would be a thing of the past.

Read more: ThisDay Live