Rewind to 2004, Covenant University, barely 2 years old, was ranked at the bottom of all rankings/charts you could find. It was popular amongst graduating high-school students and undergraduates as a university with lax entry standards for average to below average students, and was also famous for its out-of-the-world rules and regulations, popularly referred to as an “Advanced Secondary School”. Okay, the rules and regulations are still there (although more lax now), however, over the last decade, the university has transformed into a new sensation, a hub of some of the best students and faculty on the continent. It is quite obvious now that some of the top universities in Nigeria and Africa are now threatened by it’s unprecedented rise on most ranking tables/leagues. Listed below are seven reasons why Covenant University might oust the top 10 African universities to become number one in the next seven years;
STELLAR , TOP-PERCENTILE UNDERGRADUATES
Gone are the days when Covenant University was synonymous with low JAMB and WAEC grades. Being the Private University with the highest quota of applications amongst private universities in Nigeria, the university has become quite picky over the years. In fact in 2012, the university indicated that only applicants with 215+ on JAMB could seat its CUSAT (Covenant University Scholastic Aptitude Test) after which successful candidates on the test take the famous oral interviews. With such cut-throat selection standards, only the best get in. So it’s no surprise that the school teems with alumni of highly competitive high schools, the likes of Loyola Jesuit, KC, QC, NTIC e.t.c. Consequently, like GIGO, you also get the youngest, smartest, undergraduate researchers you could ever find on the continent (NB: average graduation age at CU is 21). Check with the world’s biggest firms and you’ll find a hebronite! From McKinsey to Google to General Electric to GoldmanSachs to KPMG to Shell to Microsoft to PWC, they are present in teeming numbers (and yes, the school’s just 12 years old). Of course CU undergrads are among the best in research. Amongst the recent nominees of the famous International research award, The Undergraduate Awards 2014, a CU student was nominated in Engineering and Mechanical sciences category alongside students from Princeton, University of Edinburgh, University of Toronto, University of Manchester. By this feat, CU became the first African University to be featured in the awards alongside Unilorin.
WORLD CLASS INFRASTRUCTURE AND EQUIPMENT
With amenities and research equipment worth billions of naira, Covenant University has just about the most expensive ultramodern infrastructural pieces in Africa, obtainable in only the most advanced universities in the world. Asides from the spectacularly designed couthy hostels, iconic senate building, and the eccentric lecture theatre, the university has some of Africa’s most equipped college and departmental buildings with more on the way. This year alone, the University completed its state-of-the-art Health Centre and Entrepreneurial Development Centre. Much is also expected of the ongoing million dollar Research facility currently in construction by the Covenant University Construction Agency (CUCA) [yes! CU has its own Construction Agency, no kidding!]. It goes without saying that a synergy of the avant-garde, divine Intellect and architectural background of the founder plays out extrinsically on the CU campus.
With all the lustre, calm, brilliance and resplendence of the CU campus, it can even be argued that the worst of CU’s pessimists become the best of optimists after a walk through Hebron.
INGENIOUS FACULTY BASE with UNMATCHED CULTURE OF DILIGENCE
From top management to maintenance and sanitary workers, the culture of innovation and diligence can hardly go unnoticed amongst Covenant University staff. The saying “If you need faculty who work like MBB strategy consultants then come to CU” is certainly not out of place. The University’s recent vision “1 of 10 in 10” has seen the wake of a new work culture amongst its academics. This has also sparked a revolution in the quality of indigenous research with numerous awards locally and internationally to show. It is typical of CU faculty to close work by 5pm and return by 10pm to work through 3 am all at will. (of course they’d be awake by 6am to start the new day).
ENABLING ENVIRONMENT AND SUPPORTIVE CULTURE FOR CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH
With stable power supply and impressive facilities and equipment for research, there’s no limit to what you can do as a researcher at CU. Every year, Grants are released to facilitate and incentivize research at CU. It’s no wonder, the school has publications in just about every high impact journal you can think of. It should interest you that CU has the 12th largest repository in Africa, the largest in Nigeria and 402nd in the world (as quoted by webometrics)
SUPERB ATTRACTION FOR NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESEARCHERS
Wherever the aforementioned are present, it is typical to draw attention of international academics of reputable standards. That’s why the school has played host to series of professionals from top schools in Europe and America. Most recently, Covenant University welcomed two Nobel Laureates in Economics (one from Harvard) to its faculty as visiting professors. Thus becoming the first University in Africa to achieve such a feat.
STRONG FINANCIAL BASE
A major factor that determines how well (and fast) a university can rise on league tables is the financial base of such an institution. So it’s no surprise that some of the world’s best universities are also the richest. Take Harvard for instance, which was worth $30 Billion about two years ago. As an institution, Covenant University is just about the richest amongst private universities in Africa. It also helps to know that the Chancellor of the University is ranked as one of the richest in the world.
IVYLEAGUE-TYPE REPUTATION/BRANDING
A major influence in ranking is the reputation of the university. At a time when Harvard was 3rd on most ranking bodies, it was still said to be the most highly reputed university in the world. This implied that the average lecturer, student or layman at the time, still thought that Harvard was the best. Consequently, the University and its affiliates (e.g HBS) continue to rake in the finest applicants (faculty and students) from around the world. This has helped Harvard remain amongst the world’s top 3 Universities for ages. A similar trend has been observed for CU. Strongly associated with the CU brand is prestige, brilliance and exceptional presence in the world’s top firms. Slowly, Multinational employers and top graduate schools are beginning to place a premium on the CU brand thus making the university’s rankings soar over the years. Three years ago, CU was ranked 8000+ in the world. This year it is ranked 2000+ by the same ranking body (webometrics).
All these reasons put together ensconce CU on the track to becoming Africa’s best university in 7 years.
Miscellanea [Updated]
CU is currently Africa’s 15th best University
CU is Nigeria’s best University [Webometrics]
CU is Africa’s 2nd best Private University after American University of Cairo (Egypt)
CU has the 13th largest repository in Africa, largest in Nigeria and 535th in the world
CU is the cheapest private university in Africa with the best value for money (ranked 15th, 2nd Private in Africa, Avg. school fees N600, 000, which is likely to drop next year). Compare with American University of Cairo (ranked 9th in Africa, 1st Private in Africa N3,000,000)
With stable power supply and impressive facilities and equipment for research, there’s no limit to what you can do as a researcher at CU. Every year, Grants are released to facilitate and incentivize research at CU. It’s no wonder, the school has publications in just about every high impact journal you can think of. It should interest you that CU has the 12th largest repository in Africa, the largest in Nigeria and 402nd in the world (as quoted by webometrics)
SUPERB ATTRACTION FOR NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESEARCHERS
Wherever the aforementioned are present, it is typical to draw attention of international academics of reputable standards. That’s why the school has played host to series of professionals from top schools in Europe and America. Most recently, Covenant University welcomed two Nobel Laureates in Economics (one from Harvard) to its faculty as visiting professors. Thus becoming the first University in Africa to achieve such a feat.
STRONG FINANCIAL BASE
A major factor that determines how well (and fast) a university can rise on league tables is the financial base of such an institution. So it’s no surprise that some of the world’s best universities are also the richest. Take Harvard for instance, which was worth $30 Billion about two years ago. As an institution, Covenant University is just about the richest amongst private universities in Africa. It also helps to know that the Chancellor of the University is ranked as one of the richest in the world.
IVYLEAGUE-TYPE REPUTATION/BRANDING
A major influence in ranking is the reputation of the university. At a time when Harvard was 3rd on most ranking bodies, it was still said to be the most highly reputed university in the world. This implied that the average lecturer, student or layman at the time, still thought that Harvard was the best. Consequently, the University and its affiliates (e.g HBS) continue to rake in the finest applicants (faculty and students) from around the world. This has helped Harvard remain amongst the world’s top 3 Universities for ages. A similar trend has been observed for CU. Strongly associated with the CU brand is prestige, brilliance and exceptional presence in the world’s top firms. Slowly, Multinational employers and top graduate schools are beginning to place a premium on the CU brand thus making the university’s rankings soar over the years. Three years ago, CU was ranked 8000+ in the world. This year it is ranked 2000+ by the same ranking body (webometrics).
All these reasons put together ensconce CU on the track to becoming Africa’s best university in 7 years.
Miscellanea [Updated]
CU is currently Africa’s 15th best University
CU is Nigeria’s best University [Webometrics]
CU is Africa’s 2nd best Private University after American University of Cairo (Egypt)
CU has the 13th largest repository in Africa, largest in Nigeria and 535th in the world
CU is the cheapest private university in Africa with the best value for money (ranked 15th, 2nd Private in Africa, Avg. school fees N600, 000, which is likely to drop next year). Compare with American University of Cairo (ranked 9th in Africa, 1st Private in Africa N3,000,000)
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