Crawford targets global top 1,000 universities in 10 years

Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun, says it is targeting a place among the world’s top 1,000 universities within the next decade as part of its strategic transformation and internationalisation agenda.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Makinde, disclosed this on Wednesday in Igbesa during a news conference ahead of the institution’s 18th Convocation Ceremony scheduled for Nov. 18.

Makinde said the Faith-based university was also targeting entry into the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings within the next five to seven years.

The Professor of Linguistics added that the height would be attained through improved research productivity, international collaborations, academic publications and institutional development.

He described the objectives as ambitious but achievable through sustained investment in research infrastructure, staff development, international visibility and effective institutional management.

The vice-chancellor identified Crawford University’s recognition as the first university in Nigeria to attain National Education Repository and Databank (NERD) status as a significant milestone in its drive towards global relevance.

He said the recognition would strengthen the institution’s capacity for digital scholarship, knowledge management, research visibility and the effective dissemination of academic information.

Makinde, who assumed office on Oct. 6, 2025, said his administration had embarked on deliberate reforms to expand academic opportunities, improve infrastructure, strengthen quality assurance and promote research and international engagement.

On the 18th Convocation of the 21-year-old university, Makinde revealed that 630 students would partake in the ceremony, which consisted of 528 undergraduates and 102 postgraduate graduands.

On the breakdown, he disclosed that 54 undergraduates graduated with First Class Honours, while 233 obtained Second Class Upper Division, 191 earned Second Class Lower Division and 50 graduated with Third Class Honours.

According to him, 287 undergraduates, representing approximately 54.5 per cent of the undergraduate graduating class, obtained First Class and Second Class Upper Division degrees.

The postgraduate graduands comprise 57 Master of Science recipients, seven Master of Business Administration graduates, 21 Postgraduate Diploma holders and 17 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) graduates.

“Ibazebo Anthony Eromonsele of Computer Science and Technology and Njoku Chiamaka Jasmine of Biochemistry emerged as joint best graduating students in the regular undergraduate programme.

“The tied students each have a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.92.

“Also, Uzoma Perpetua Ndidiamaka of Physics with Electronics emerged as the best graduating student in the School of Part-Time Studies with a CGPA of 4.96,” he said.

On academic expansion, Makinde said the university had prioritised the development of new programmes and strengthening of existing ones to respond to emerging educational and labour-market demands.

“I am glad to announce that accreditation exercises have been undertaken for Geology, Computer Science and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

“The National Universities Commission (NUC) resource verification exercises were successfully conducted for six undergraduate Allied Health Sciences programmes and three postgraduate programmes.

“We are also preparing for accreditation exercises involving five programmes, including MSc Accounting, MSc Business Administration, MBA, BSc Public Administration and BSc Criminology and Security Studies,” he said.

On infrastructure, Makinde revealed that a world-class facility has been earmarked for the College of Allied Health Sciences, rehabilitation of student hostels and the addition of four halls to female hostels among the achievements recorded.

“Other interventions included construction and improvement works at the Choir Hostel and preparations towards commencing academic activities at Anthony and Oye campuses.

“Arrangements are also underway to utilise six lecture theatres and several staff offices at the Crawford University International Conference Centre, following approval by the Chancellor,” he said.

He disclosed that the management of the institution is strengthening international partnerships, adding that the university had been selected for the Africa-Brazil Universities Collaboration Initiative.

“This is a partnership with the Federal University for Latin American Integration, Federal University of Tocantins and Federal University of São Francisco Valley,” he said.

Makinde then listed other institutions and organisations with which the university had signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).

“We have signed MoU’s with New Horizons Systems, Microstat Nigeria Ltd., Campus WiFi and Network Services Co. Ltd., General Hospital, Ota, and Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital.

“The partnerships are expected to facilitate research collaboration, professional training, technology integration, academic exchange and improved graduate employability,” he said.

On financial sustainability, the vice-chancellor said the management was reviewing the operations of the university’s commercial ventures, including its bakery, water plant and Crawford Chicken, to diversify revenue sources.

He added that the university was exploring endowment initiatives, alumni contributions, private-sector partnerships and other funding opportunities to support its developmental priorities.

The vice-chancellor said the university was equally committed to staff development, improved working conditions and student welfare as essential components of its institutional transformation.

He disclosed that Crawford students had distinguished themselves at the 2026 All-Nigeria Universities Debating Championship hosted by Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.

According to him, the students ranked among the top eight universities in the quiz competition, reached the quarterfinals in British Parliamentary debating and won the Fastest Developing Debate Team – South West award.

He disclosed that the students would represent the university at the 18th Pan-African Universities Debating Championship scheduled for Veritas University, Abuja, from Dec. 12 to Dec. 20.

In sports, Makinde said the university’s football team emerged champions of the Playball Africa 2025 Tournament and finished runners-up in the Bells Championship 2025, Bells University Inter-University Games 2026 and Playball Africa 2026.

He added that Crawford students also finished second in Scrabble and third in football, basketball and chess at the 2026 Pan-Atlantic University Inter-University Games.

The vice-chancellor said the achievements and ongoing reforms were guided by the institution’s CRAWFORD 2030 Development Agenda, which was built around 11 strategic pillars.

“The pillars focused on internally generated revenue, infrastructure, academic expansion, staff and student welfare and industry collaboration.

“Others are administrative efficiency, spiritual development, institutional visibility, corporate social responsibility, international partnerships and campus security,” he said.

Makinde acknowledged that inadequate infrastructure, funding constraints and the need to strengthen research capacity remained areas requiring sustained attention.

He, however, expressed confidence that strategic partnerships, prudent resource management and stakeholder collaboration would help the university overcome the challenges.

He called on the government, private sector, alumni, parents and development organisations to support the institution’s transformation agenda.

The vice-chancellor said Crawford University remained committed to producing graduates distinguished by academic competence, professional excellence, moral responsibility and spiritual consciousness.

He said the institution’s philosophy, encapsulated in its motto, “Knowledge with Godliness”, remained central to its ambition of producing responsible graduates capable of contributing meaningfully to society.

The 18th Convocation Ceremony will feature the conferment of degrees and postgraduate diplomas on the 2025/2026 graduating class, identified as ‘UNICORN 18’.