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University College Hospital, Ibadan, has emerged as Nigeria’s leading health institution in the 2026 SCImago Institutions Rankings, placing 7,051st globally and among the top 25 per cent of institutions in the international health-sector ranking.

UCH’s performance puts it 1,300 places ahead of its closest Nigerian rival, the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, which ranked 8,383rd globally.

The ranking places Nigeria’s premier teaching hospital ahead of four other institutions that featured on the country’s health-sector list: Lagos University Teaching Hospital, which ranked 9,053rd; Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, 9,860th; University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, 9,883rd; and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, 10,668th.

The SCImago Institutions Rankings, produced in Spain, assessed institutions using 20 indicators across three major areas — research performance, innovation output and societal impact.

Research performance carries the highest weighting at 50 per cent, followed by innovation at 30 per cent and societal impact at 20 per cent.

The research component measures publication output, citation impact, presence in top-quartile journals, international research collaboration and open-access publications.

Innovation is assessed through indicators including patents and technological impact, while societal impact considers web visibility, media mentions, contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and influence on public policy.

Reacting to the ranking, the Chief Medical Director of UCH, Prof. Jesse Abiodun Otegbayo, attributed the achievement to the commitment of the hospital’s workforce.

He described the recognition as “a collective achievement due to the contributions of all our committed and dedicated staff who toil day and night to keep services going on despite the challenges and the difficult work terrain.”

Otegbayo said the ranking would motivate staff to sustain their contributions to the institution and the nation’s healthcare system.

He also commended the Federal Government for prioritising the health sector while calling for greater investment in healthcare infrastructure and personnel.

The CMD specifically advocated improved funding, stable electricity, better infrastructure and enhanced remuneration for healthcare workers.

“I celebrate this ranking on behalf of and over the shoulders of our greatest assets, our staff, as it perfectly aligns with the mantra of the current administration of Shared Vision for Excellence,” he said.

Established on November 20, 1957, UCH was Nigeria’s first teaching hospital. It is affiliated with the University of Ibadan College of Medicine and serves as a major referral centre for southwestern Nigeria.

The hospital is also one of Nigeria’s eight federally funded Cancer Centres of Excellence.

Its research capacity has received additional support through internal funding initiatives. In October 2024, Otegbayo awarded research grants to six members of staff.

The University of Ibadan’s medical research community has also recorded international recognition, with Prof. Godwin Ogbole, a clinician-researcher, becoming the first indigenous African Senior Fellow of the world’s leading MRI society this year.

Despite UCH’s strong performance, the ranking highlights the relatively limited global research presence of Nigeria’s health institutions.

Only six Nigerian institutions featured in the health-sector ranking, five of them teaching hospitals.

Nigeria’s representation was considerably smaller than that of countries such as Egypt, South Africa and Kenya, which recorded stronger performances in the ranking.

The Kenya Medical Research Institute emerged as Africa’s highest-ranked institution in the health-sector category.

State hospitals, federal medical centres and private healthcare providers were not represented among the Nigerian institutions listed.

The development underscores the need for increased investment in medical research, innovation and healthcare infrastructure if Nigerian institutions are to improve their global competitiveness.

SCImago, which also publishes the Scopus-powered Journal & Country Rank, says its indicators are designed to enable institutions to benchmark their performance in research, innovation and societal impact.

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Sen. Shehu Buba representing the Bauchi South Senatorial District has said that he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear while reacting to allegations linking him to banditry, terrorism financing, kidnapping and other violent criminal activities in the state.

Buba, who stated this in a press conference in Bauchi on Monday, explained that the allegation was an organised politically motivated smear campaign against him in 2024, adding that it had been forcefully debunked through legal action.

It could be recalled that the allegation had recently resurfaced in some social media outlets immediately after the Senator declared his intention to contest for the Bauchi state governorship seat under the platform of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP).

“The allegations repeatedly circulated against me, claims linking my name to banditry, terrorism financing, kidnapping and other violent criminal activities-have reached a point where silence is no longer sufficient.

“What began as a politically motivated smear campaign against me in 2024 was forcefully debunked, and I took legal action against those behind it.

“When the falsehood later resurfaced in another form, I formally reported the matter to security agencies, and some of the suspects are currently being prosecuted in the Federal High Court.

“Yet despite these steps, the scandalous allegations have continued unabated, taking a disturbing and unfathomable path,” Buba said.

The Senator, who denied the allegation, affirmed that it didn’t touch not only his name, reputation and political career, but also on the security of the country and the public’s confidence in the institutions responsible for protecting Nigerians.

“I have nothing to hide, and I have nothing to fear from any legitimate investigation.

“It is for this reason that, through my legal team led by former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau (SAN), I have voluntarily submitted myself to the Department of State Services for a thorough and comprehensive investigation into every allegation made against me.

“My lawyers formally wrote to the DSS, DIA and Police requesting that the Services investigate these allegations in the interest of national security and the protection of my reputation and integrity as a Nigerian citizen.

“I am taking this extraordinary step because I do not believe allegations of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping against a serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should be allowed to remain matters of social-media speculation,” Buba said.

Proving the level of his innocence, Buba challenged any politician, activist, social media influencer, journalist or any other Nigerian that possessed credible evidence that he had sponsored, financed, armed, facilitated or supported bandits, terrorists, kidnappers or any criminal organisation to take the evidence to the relevant security agencies.

He urged those peddling the allegation not to hide behind social media, nor rely on edited videos, insinuations, propaganda or anonymous allegations.

The Senator, who is also the Chairman, Senate Committee on Livestock and Animal Husbandry, said politics must not become an excuse for destroying people’s reputations with allegations of terrorism and other grave crimes, adding that where allegations of criminality are made, they must be supported by evidence and submitted to the appropriate authorities.

According to him, his decision to submit himself for investigation was bigger than politics but it’s about accountability and the principle that nobody should be above scrutiny.

“To the security agencies, I pledge my full cooperation. To my accusers, I say clearly: this is your opportunity. Take your evidence to the security services.

“To the people of Bauchi State and Nigerians generally, I assure you that I remain committed to peace, security, justice and the service of our people.

“My conscience is clear. I have nothing to hide. I have voluntarily submitted myself for investigation because the truth should not be afraid of scrutiny,” Buba declared.

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President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has said he no longer wants to be referred to as the richest man in Africa, saying he would rather be known as the “wealthiest man” who creates wealth for others.

Dangote made the remark on Monday while sounding the gong at the Nigerian Exchange to formally launch the Initial Public Offering of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals in Lagos.

“I don’t want anybody again to call me the richest man in Africa. I want to be called the wealthiest man in Africa so that I can create wealth for others,” he said.

The billionaire said the IPO represented an opportunity for investors to participate in what he described as a transformational chapter for Nigeria and Africa’s economies.

“Today, we are not merely offering shares. We are offering an opportunity to participate in the transformational chapter of not only Nigeria’s economy, of Africa’s economy,” Dangote said.

He urged Nigerians to deepen the capital market and promote wider ownership of wealth.

“Together, let us deepen our capital market. Together, let us create prosperity through ownership. Together, let us build a stronger Nigeria. Together, let us ensure prosperity for Africa,” he said.

Dangote also acknowledged the personal sacrifices he had made over the years, particularly the time spent away from his family while building his business empire.

He thanked his three daughters, Mariya, Halima and Fatima, for their understanding and support, saying he had deprived himself of family time for many years.

The IPO, which opened on Monday, September 14, 2026, offers 4.1 billion new ordinary shares of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals at N525 per share, with a minimum subscription of 10 shares valued at N5,250.

The offer is scheduled to close on October 13, 2026, subject to the terms contained in the prospectus.

The ceremony, held on the trading floor of the NGX in Lagos, marked the first time a refinery has been offered on the Nigerian stock market in the Exchange’s 66-year history.