Two UNILORIN professors named among world’s top scientists

Elsevier B.V, the academic publishing company, has named two Nigerian professors among the most productive scientists globally.

The company publishes medical and scientific literature at Stanford University in the United States.

Kayode Oyewumi and Musa Yakubu, the professors named, are both from the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN).

Oyewumi is the dean of the faculty of physical sciences while Yakubu is the immediate past director at the central research laboratory at the varsity.

According to NAN, the university confirmed the development in its bulletin issued on Wednesday in Ilorin.

Speaking on behalf of the duo, Oyewumi said researchers’ ranking had become a global tool for evaluating intellectualism, academic prowess, research excellence, and impact in the 21st century.

He said 180,000 scientists were selected from the more than 8 million active scientists worldwide in 22 major scientific fields and 176 subfields.

“While many ranking bodies are questionable and generally unacceptable, an emerging reputable and distinguished ranking body has named two UNILORIN dons, among the world’s top two scientists,’’ he said.

“The list is led by Prof. John Loannidis of Stanford University with the use of verifiable data drawn from the SCOPUS database.

“The method adopted for the ranking involved the use of a complex algorithm based on ranking parameters such as SCOPUS documents (1960-2020).

“It also includes citations (including distinct citing papers), and co-authorship (including the first authorship), among others.”

The dean said the long list contained names of a few Nigerian scientists drawn primarily from universities and research institutes globally.

He described the inclusion of him and Yakubu in the list as a reflection of the valuable impact of the University of Ilorin’s researchers on the global research platform.

“Obviously, the recent achievement is certainly inspirational to young faculty members and research scholars,” Oyewumi added.

“It is hoped that the next edition of the ranking will feature more scientists from UNILORIN and Nigeria.”