By Okechukwu Okechukwu
The Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Professor Charles Esimone, Monday, blamed the eight months ASUU strike that ended last week as the major reason the citadel of learning failed to rank number one in Nigeria and within 200 in the world.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Universities Ranking Advisory Committee (NURAC), Professor Emeritus Peter Okebukola at a recent summit held in Abuja, disclosed that ranking reports released by the Times Higher Education World Academic ranking placed UNIZIK on 10th position in Nigeria and under 1500+ category in the world.
Esimone, while reacting to the report in Awka, said the University deserved a far better placing had there been opportunity to present all basic parameters that were required for the ranking.
According to him, "We didn't reach the optimum. We would have been about sixth or seventh because I was doing what is required strategically with the supply of information. What we achieved was just a work of faith.
"The basic parameters, about four of them were not completed, including data about students distribution. The strike action did not allow the staff to provide the data needed. We thank God all the same. About four parameters we would have put in place to showcase what we have done", Esimone said.