The first global rankings of universities in the new year have been published, and they show quite curious results for Nigerian universities.

According to Webometrics Ranking of World Universities, the Covenant University, Ota, made an impressive step forward, stormed the TOP 15 of African Universities and became #1 in Nigeria.

In his reaction, the vice-chancellor of the university, Prof Charles Ayo, said the institution would not rest on its oars until it becomes at least 10th on the African continent.

A total of 136 Nigerian universities made the list. See the TOP-50, as of January 2015, below:

Ranking (world rank) University name

1 (1401) Covenant University Ota

2 (1791) Obafemi Awolowo University

3 (2310) University of Ibadan

4 (2597) University of Lagos

5 (2742) University of Ilorin

6 (3424) University of Agriculture Abeokuta

7 (3599) Ahmadu Bello University

8 (3872) Federal University of Technology Akure

9 (4022) Landmark University

10 (4100) University of Nigeria

11 (4462) University of Benin

12 (4590) University of Port Harcourt

13 (4644) Federal University of Technology Minna

14 (5114) Federal University Dutsin Ma

15 (5810) University of Jos

16 (7146) Federal University Oye Ekiti Ekiti State

17 (8385) Olabisi Onabanjo University (Ogun State University)

18 (8551) Federal University of Technology Owerri

19 (8704) University of Calabar

20 (8988) Osun State University

21 (9063) Auchi Polytechnic

22 (9294) Paul University Awka Anambra State

23 (9782) National Open University of Nigeria

24 (9920) Yaba College of Technology

25 (10360) Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti

26 (10384) Lagos Business School Pan African University

27 (10492) Madonna University Nigeria

28 (10518) University of Uyo

29 (10577) Lead City University Ibadan

30 (10795) Bayero University Kano

31 (11154) Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

32 (11169) Nnamdi Azikiwe University

33 (11215) Adekunle Ajasin University

34 (11443) Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo FUNAI

35 (11526) University of Maiduguri

36 (11794) Benue State University

37 (12595) Redeemer’s University

38 (12694) Pan African University Lagos

39 (12789) Caritas University Enugu

40 (13273) Rivers State University of Science & Technology

41 (13369) Kwara State University

42 (13475) Usmanu Danfodiyo University

43 (13653) Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma

44 (13749) American University of Nigeria

45 (13756) Joseph Ayo Babalola University

46 (13821) Tai Solarin University of Education

47 (14073) Lagos State University

48 (14163) Bowen University

49 (14225) (1) Kaduna State University

50 (14531) Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi

The actual ranking (TOP-15) of the universities in Africa is given below:

Currently, Webometrics provides web indicators for more than 12,000 universities worldwide. The ranking is based on a composite indicator which reflects presence, impact, openness and excellence. The next update of the rankings will be in July 2015.