ABUAD Shines Globally as Eight Scholars Emerge Among World’s Top 2% Scientists

Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), has once again secured a place on the global stage as eight of its academic staff and dedicated researchers have been named among the world’s top 2% scientists in the latest ranking released by Stanford University in collaboration with Elsevier Data Repository (V8).

According to an official notice contained in a memo titled “College of Engineering Staff Emerge Among World’s Top 2% Scientists for 2025” and signed by the Provost, College of Engineering, Engr. Prof. Moses Onibonoje, listed the distinguished scholars as: Engr. Prof. Yusuff Adeyinka Sikiru, Department of Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering; Popoola Lekan Taofeek, Chemical Engineering; Engr. Dr. Salau, Ayodeji Olalekan, Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Engr. Dr. Oladapo Bankole Mechanical Engineering.

Also making the list are: Engr. Prof. Olujobi Olushola Joshua, College of Law; Engr. Dr. Okokpujie Imhade Princess, Department of Mechatronics Engineering; Engr. Dr. Ikumapayi Omolayo M. Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engr. Prof. Oyinloye, Babatunji Emmanuel, College of Sciences.

Reacting to the development, ABUAD’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. E. Smaranda Olarinde, FCArb, FCAI, described the recognition as another testament to the premium the institution places on research, innovation, and community service.

“This news does not come as a surprise. Our visionary Founder and Chancellor, Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, is renowned for his relentless pursuit of excellence. His consistent investment in cutting-edge facilities, skilled manpower, and enabling resources ensures that ABUAD staff and students remain globally competitive beyond the shores of Nigeria,” she said.

Prof. Olarinde further noted that the recognition reflects the scholars’ sustained record of high-impact research, which not only advances knowledge in their respective disciplines but also addresses pressing real-world challenges, particularly those tied to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Stanford–Elsevier global scientist ranking identifies the top 100,000 researchers worldwide or the top 2% in each subfield based on a composite citation score that considers standardized citation data, h-index, co-authorship-adjusted metrics, and field-specific percentiles across 22 disciplines and 174 subfields.

The September 2025 update, which analyzed millions of publications up to the end of 2024, remains one of the most authoritative global benchmarks for research impact.

With this remarkable feat, ABUAD continues to demonstrate its growing influence in global academia and reinforces its reputation as a hub of world-class scholarship from Nigeria.