By Erewunmi Peace

Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has reacted to criticisms following her recent comment about the ranking of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD).

Dabiri-Erewa had congratulated the institution for its impressive performance in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2025, noting that ABUAD was ranked first in Nigeria, third in Africa, and 84th in the world.

Her statement sparked reactions on social media, with several users questioning the accuracy of the claim and demanding clarification on the basis of the ranking.

In response, Dabiri-Erewa emphasized that her remark was based on THE Impact Rankings, which assess universities’ performance in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — not the general global academic ranking.

She commended Afe Babalola University for distinguishing itself among world-class institutions in areas such as innovation, sustainability, and societal impact.

“Let’s always celebrate excellence. ABUAD’s performance in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings is something Nigeria should be proud of,” Dabiri-Erewa wrote on her verified X (formerly Twitter) account.

According to official data from Times Higher Education, ABUAD is indeed ranked 84th globally, No. 1 in Nigeria, and No. 3 in Africa in the 2025 Impact Rankings — a listing that measures universities’ contributions toward sustainable development rather than research or teaching performance.

However, in the general World University Rankings 2024, the institution is placed in the 1501+ category, showing a clear distinction between the two ranking systems.

ABUAD, founded by legal icon Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), has consistently gained recognition for its rapid academic growth, quality of infrastructure, and commitment to global educational standards.