FUTO Pushes for Higher Global Ranking as Experts Outline Strategies

The Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) is strengthening its strategy for improving performance and visibility in global university rankings, with experts outlining key areas the University can leverage to advance its ambition of joining the world’s top 100 universities within the next five years.

The experts spoke at a workshop on university rankings and institutional excellence held on August 26, 2026, at the Prof. C.O.E. Onwuliri Conference Centre, FUTO. The workshop, themed “University Rankings and Institutional Excellence: Strategies for Improving Performance, Visibility, and Global Competitiveness,” brought together Principal Officers of the University, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, researchers and other key stakeholders.

Speaking on “Understanding University Rankings: Indicators, Benchmarks and Strategic Opportunities,” the South-East Representative on the Nigerian University Ranking Advisory Committee (NURAC), Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, said universities seeking to improve their ranking positions must understand the indicators and weights used by different ranking bodies, and align their strategies accordingly.

He identified enlightened and committed leadership, quality data, and strategic choices as critical to ranking success, noting that many of the requirements for improved rankings were already within the reach of Nigerian universities.

Prof. Nwajiuba also highlighted the importance of web presence, particularly under Webometrics, and urged FUTO to improve the online visibility of its academics by making researchers and their scholarly works more easily discoverable.

Also speaking, the Secretary of NURAC and former Deputy Executive Secretary (Academics) of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Dr Noel Biodun, outlined a practical roadmap for strengthening FUTO’s ranking performance. He said the strategy must be “indicator-driven, data-smart and strategy-led,” with interventions focused on research, teaching, internationalisation and industry engagement.

Dr Biodun recommended increased publication in high-impact journals, strategic international co-authorship, development of signature research clusters, increased research income and higher PhD output, among other strategies.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof. I.N.S. Dozie said the workshop aligned with his administration’s commitment to strengthening FUTO’s performance and visibility in global university rankings.

While commending the contributions of previous administrations to the University’s growth, he said FUTO, as Nigeria’s foremost university of technology, would continue to lead in academic and institutional excellence.

Prof. Dozie assured that Management would provide the enabling environment to translate the workshop’s recommendations into practical actions and measurable results. He expressed confidence that FUTO could achieve its ambition of joining the world’s top 100 universities within the next five years.

The workshop featured interactive sessions during which participants sought clarifications, made contributions, and engaged the resource persons on strategies for improving the University’s ranking performance.