The Vice-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Prof. Shadrach Olufemi Akindele, has emphasised the need for increased investment in the research capabilities of universities to enable the nation’s tertiary institutions to compete favourably with their counterparts globally.

Akindele made this known on Wednesday while praising the collective efforts of the institution’s faculty and researchers on the faith-based university’s emergence as a leading institution in sustainability and research excellence.

The school made a remarkable debut in the latest Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Ranking 2025.

According to a statement by the University Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Adetunji Adeleye, the university ranked second among Nigerian federal, state, and private universities, with outstanding performances across several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Redeemer’s University stood out significantly in this prestigious global ranking, especially in public health and water management SDGs.

Specifically, the university ranked first nationally and internationally for SDG 6, addressing clean water and sanitation. This recognition is primarily attributed to the university’s pioneering efforts at the African Centre of Excellence for Water and Environmental Science Research (ACEWATER), a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to sustainable water resource management, wastewater treatment, and ecosystem preservation.

The centre boasts world-class researchers and cutting-edge technology, committed to ensuring water quality and availability. Their work is critical in addressing global concerns about sustainable water management, reflecting the university’s strategic alignment with international standards for sustainable practices.

In addition to excelling in SDG 6, Redeemer’s University ranked first nationally and sixth continentally for SDG 3, good health and well-being. The university hosts the prestigious Institute of Genomics and Global Health (IGH), formerly the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID). The institute has been at the forefront of ground-breaking research, significantly impacting public health across Africa and beyond, particularly in genomic research on infectious diseases.

Reacting, the VC said, “This ranking validates our unwavering commitment to sustainability, research excellence, and global impact. It represents the starting point of our ambition to position Redeemer’s University among the best globally.”

Prof. Akindele emphasised the importance of continued investment in research capabilities and collaborative initiatives, noting that the accolades must inspire even greater efforts to maintain and surpass these standards, aiming to achieve global recognition in sustainability and research excellence.

He also called for increased collaborations from academic institutions, corporations, and individual researchers committed to driving sustainable development.

According to him, by fostering international partnerships, Redeemer’s University aims to amplify its impact on global challenges, particularly those affecting Africa, such as healthcare disparities, sustainable resource management, and climate change.