Comparison of Geopolitical, Regional and Funding Differences of Universities in Nigeria, Based on Citations per Paper, Using Web of Science and Scopus

Document Type : Articles

Authors

1 Research Associate, Sydani Institute for Research and Innovation, Sydani Group, Abuja, Nigeria.

2 Department of Mathematics, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria.

3 Independent researcher, Kagawa-ken, Japan.

Abstract
Extant studies have focused on exploring the research output of universities in Nigeria, but the measure of the quality of research output using citations per paper (CPP) from the Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus is scarcely discussed. This paper investigated the quality of papers published by the top 76 universities in Nigeria. Five hypotheses on CPP were tested using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. These hypotheses tested whether CPP is the same or different i) across six geo-political regions (GPRs), ii) between the two major regions, iii) across three university funding types, iv) in Scopus and WoS, and v) if these two databases are correlated. Results using these two databases indicated that no significant median differences were detected among universities across the six GPRs, between northern and southern Nigeria, and between the three funding types (federal, state, and private). Moreover, no significant median differences in CPP between Scopus and WoS were detected, and CPP in both databases was highly positively correlated (0.879; p = 0.05). A comparison of the mean CPP of Nigeria (5.90) from Scopus with 57 other African countries ranked it 47th despite being ranked third in terms of volume of published articles. Policy prescriptions are made on the implications of using CPP for practice.

Keywords


Abubakar, A. & Ahmed, S. (2017). The effect of a transformational leadership style on the performance of universities in Nigeria. Pakistan Journal of Educational Research and Evaluation, 2(1), 59-76. Retrieved from http://pu.edu.pk/images/journal/PJERE/PDF-FILES/5-V2_no1_17.pdf
Abubakar, H. O., Etuk, A. S., Arilesere, J. I. & Abiodun, O. J. B. (2021). Bibliometric analysis of research productivity of academic staff in College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State. Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). 4777. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/4777
Adeeko, K., Esharefasa, B. A. & Williams, K. D. (2021). Accreditation of academic programmes in Nigerian private universities: The impact of the library. American Journal of Education and Information Technology, 5(1), 58-62. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajeit.20210501.19
Adeogun, A. A., Subair, S. T. & Osifila, G. I. (2009). Deregulation of university education in Nigeria: Problems and prospects. Florida Journal of Educational Administration & Policy, 3(1), 1-8.
Adetunji, A. T., Adetunji, A. V., Adeleke, E. O. & Madubuike, S. C. (2017). Deregulation: The effect of market-led approach to Nigerian universities management. International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 1(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.29332/ijssh.v1n1.6
Afolabi, M. T. & Oladokun, M. T. A. (2020). Information literacy skills, availability of information resources as factors influencing research productivity of academic staff of Lead City University, Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). 4165. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/4165
Agasisti, T., Barra, C. & Zotti, R. (2019). Research, knowledge transfer, and innovation: The effect of Italian universities’ efficiency on local economic development 2006-2012. Journal of Regional Science, 59(5), 819-849. https://doi.org/10.1111/jors.12427
Agbo, G. C. (2018). Educational corruption in tertiary institutions in Nigeria: Implications for global peace, development and progress in the 21st century. IMT International Journal of the Arts and Sciences, 2(1), 1-10.
Agha, N. C. & Ugu, G. O. C. (2019). Quality and relevance of tertiary education trust fund intervention researches in tertiary institutions in South East Nigeria (2010-2015). International Journal of Development and Management Review, 14(1), 85-95. Retrieved from https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ijdmr/article/view/186547
Aiyebelehin, A. J. (2021). “Add-my-name” as a parody of research collaboration among Nigerian researchers. Accountability in Research, 29(1), 45-54 https://doi.org/10.1080/08989621.2021.1894935
 
 
Ajadi, T. O. (2010). Private universities in Nigeria – the challenges ahead. American Journal of Scientific Research, 7, 15-24. Retrieved from https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/190320409.pdf
Akinwumi, F. S. & Olaniyan, D. A. (2001). Analysis of university autonomy in Nigeria. African Journal of Educational Management, 9(2), 117-129.
Ali, W. & Elbadawy, A. (2021). Research output of the top 10 African countries: An analytical study. COLLNET Journal of Scientometrics and Information Management, 15(1), 9-25. https://doi.org/10.1080/09737766.2021.1934181
Allik, J., Lauk, K. & Realo, A. (2020). Factors predicting the scientific wealth of nations. Cross-Cultural Research, 54(4), 364-397. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069397120910982
Aminu, A. (2019). Characterising graduate unemployment in Nigeria as education-job mismatch problem. African Journal of Economic Review, 7(2), 113-130. https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.292367
Amuche, A. E., Ngwuchukwu, M. N., Ihekwoaba, E. C. & Okwor, R. N. (2020). Influence of ICT literacy skills on research publication of librarians in federal universities in south-east Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). 4379. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/4379
Ani, O. E., Ngulube, P. O. & Omwoyo, B. (2017). A bibliometric analysis of the visibility of library and information science research in Nigeria in the Web of Science, 2000-2014. African Journal of Library, Archives & Information Science, 27(1), 41-51.
Anokye, S. A., Okri, J. A. & Adie, E. A. (2019). Retention and brain drain of academic staff in higher institution in Nigeria: A case study of University of Calabar. Global Journal of Educational Research, 18(2), 99-105. https://doi.org/10.4314/gjedr.v18i2.6
Armitage, C. S., Lorenz, M. & Mikki, S. (2020). Mapping scholarly publications related to the sustainable development goals: Do independent bibliometric approaches get the same results? Quantitative Science Studies, 1(3), 1092-1108. https://doi.org/10.1162/qss_a_00071
Atanda, A. & Olasupo, I. O. (2018). A survey of academic staff research output in the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. East African Journal of Educational Research and Policy, 13(1), 79-94.
Badau, K. M. (2020), Assessment of educational management research performance of universities in north eastern Nigeria. Education Quarterly Reviews, 3(2), 111-121. https://doi.org/10.31014/aior.1993.03.02.123
Baridam, D. M. & Don-Baridam, L. (2020). University administration and the challenges of brain drain in Nigeria. IOSR Journal of Business and Management, 22(4), 57-65. https://doi.org/10.9790/487X-2204015765
Chia, T. & Oyeniran, O. I. (2019). Anatomy education in Nigeria: Challenges and prospects. Journal of Contemporary Medical Education, 9(3), 61-65. https://doi.org/10.5455/jcme.20190531113058
Chiemeke, S., Longe, O. B., Longe, F. A. & Shaib, I. O. (2009). Research outputs from Nigerian tertiary institutions: An empirical appraisal. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). 233. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/233
Chubb, J. & Reed, M. S. (2018). The politics of research impact: Academic perceptions of the implications for research funding, motivation and quality. British Politics, 13(3), 295-311. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41293-018-0077-9
Durodolu, O. O., Adeleke, A. A. & Ojo, J. O. (2019). Infometrics growth analysis of medical science researchers in Nigeria during 2007 to 2016. DESIDOC Journal of Library & Information Technology, 39(5), 244-250. https://doi.org/10.14429/djlit.39.5.14494
Egbetokun, A., Olofinyehun, A., Sanni, M., Ayo-Lawal, A., Oluwatope, O. & Yusuff, U. (2022). The production of social science research in Nigeria: status and systemic determinants. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 9(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-021-01017-z
Ejikeme, A. N. & Ezema, I. J. (2019). The potentials of open access initiative and the development of institutional repositories in Nigeria: Implications for scholarly communication. Publishing Research Quarterly, 35(1), 6-21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12109-018-09626-4
Ekpoh, U. I. & Asuquo, M. E. (2020). The pursuit of quality assurance in Nigerian universities: Issues and challenges. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 11(1), 32. https://doi.org/10.36941/mjss-2020-0004
Ekwunife, F. C., Egunlusi, F. B. & Chikwe, G. C. (2019). Contributory pension scheme and academic staff commitment in private tertiary institutions in South-East, Nigeria. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 8(2), 349-360. https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARPED/v8-i2/5988
Eniayejuni, A. (2018). Impact of scientific productivity and trend on publication output of Nigerian authors in Web of Science from 2006 to 2016. African Journal of Library, Archives & Information Science, 28(1), 123-136.
Faboyede, O. S., Faboyede, A. & Fakile, A. S. (2017). Funding of university education in Nigeria: Challenges and prospects. European Journal of Social Sciences Studies, 2(1), 221-238. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1012393
Fatima, N. & Abu, K. S. (2019). E-learning research papers in web of science: A bibliometric analysis. Library Philosophy and Practice, (e-journal). 2144. Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/2144
Galadanci, B. S., Muaz, S. A. & Mukhtar, M. I. (2016). Comparing research outputs of Nigeria federal universities based on the Scopus database. CEUR Workshop Proceedings, 1755, 79-84. Retrieved from https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-1755/79-84.pdf
Gao, K., Bai, N. & Huang, K. (2017). The research of relationship between innovation output and employment. Journal of World Economic Research, 6(2), 23-26. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jwer.20170602.12
Gazni, A. & Didegah, F. (2021). Journal self-citation trends in 1975–2017 and the effect on journal impact and article citations. Learned Publishing, 34(2), 233-240. https://doi.org/10.1002/leap.1348
Halidu, S. G. (2015). Assessment of funding of federal universities in Nigeria: Evidence from Ahmadu Bello University. Yobe Journal of Economics, 2(1), 272-283.
Ibegbulam, I. J. & Jacintha, E. U. (2016). Factors that contribute to research and publication output among librarians in Nigerian university libraries. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 42(1), 15-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2015.09.007
Igwe, P. A., Hack-Polay, D., Mendy, J., Fuller, T. & Lock, D. (2019). Improving higher education standards through reengineering in West African universities – A case study of Nigeria. Studies in Higher Education, 46(8), 1635-1648. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2019.1698534
Iruonagbe, C. T., Imhonopi, D. & Egharevba, M. E. (2015). Higher education in Nigeria and the emergence of private universities. International Journal of Education and Research, 3(2), 49-64. Retrieved from https://core.ac.uk/reader/32225370
Jacob, O. N. & Lawan, A. (2020). Public universities administration in Nigeria: Challenges and the ways forward. International Journal on Integrated Education, 3(11), 163-169. https://dx.doi.org/10.31149/ijie.v3i11.877
Jaiyeoba, A. O. & Atanda, A. I. (2009). An analysis of academic staff productivity and qualitative research output in south-west Nigerian universities. East African Journal of Educational Research and Policy, 3, 101-115.
Jajo, N. K. & Peiris, S. (2021). Statistical analysis of ERA and the quality of research in Australian universities. Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, 13(2), 420-429. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-02-2020-0048
Jawwad, M., Soroya, M. S. & Ahmad, P. (2021). Mapping the research output of Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (JSSH): A bibliometric study. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). 5087. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/5087
Kwiek, M. (2021). What large-scale publication and citation data tell us about international research collaboration in Europe: Changing national patterns in global contexts. Studies in Higher Education, 46(12), 2629-2649. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2020.1749254
Mahala, A. & Singh, R. (2021). Research output of Indian universities in sciences (2015–2019): A scientometric analysis. Library Hi Tech, 39(4), 984-1000. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-09-2020-0224
Mammadov, R. & Aypay, A. (2020). Efficiency analysis of research universities in Turkey. International Journal of Educational Development, 75, 102176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2020.102176
Mêgnigbêto, E. (2013). International collaboration in scientific publishing: The case of West Africa (2001–2010). Scientometrics, 96(3), 761-783. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-013-0963-2
Mills, D. & Inouye, K. (2021). Problematizing ‘predatory publishing’: A systematic review of factors shaping publishing motives, decisions, and experiences. Learned Publishing, 34(2), 89-104. https://doi.org/10.1002/leap.1325
Moed, H. F., Markusova, V. & Akoev, M. (2018). Trends in Russian research output indexed in Scopus and Web of Science. Scientometrics, 116(2), 1153-1180. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-018-2769-8
Musa, J. M. & Isa, J. (2018). Philosophical assessment of liberal education and the actualization of free and compulsory basic education in Nigeria. KIU Journal of Humanities, 2(2), 141-147. Retrieved from file:///C:/Users/Reza/Downloads/166-13-503-1-10-20180205.pdf
Musa, U. A. & Ibrahim, A. (2017). Analyzing factors that contribute for timely completion of research work among postgraduate students in federal universities in Nigeria. Jurnal Psikologi Malaysia, 31(3), 1-6.
Ndubuisi, A. G. & Jacob, O. N. (2021). Challenges facing administrators of public higher institutions in Nigeria and the ways forward. Central Asian Journal of Literature, Philosophy and Culture, 2(2), 27-40. https://doi.org/10.47494/cajlpc.v2i2.66
 
 
Nwachukwu, K. U. (2021). Critical assessment of corrupt practices and its aftermaths on quality education in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. International Journal of Institutional Leadership, Policy and Managemen, 3(1), 194-206. Retrieved from http://www.ijilpm.com.ng/assets/vol.%2C-3(1)-nwachukwu.pdf
Nwajiuba, C. A., Igwe, P. A., Akinsola-Obatolu, A. D., Ituma, A. & Binuomote, M. O. (2020). What can be done to improve higher education quality and graduate employability in Nigeria? A stakeholder approach. Industry and Higher Education, 34(5), 358-367.            https://doi.org/10.1177/0950422219901102
Nwaka, N. G. & Nwagbata, A. R. (2020). Dishonesty among tertiary education lecturers: A study of prevalence and management strategies. National Journal of Educational Leadership, 5(1), 89-98. Retrieved from file:///C:/Users/Reza/Downloads/1378-2041-1-PB.pdf
Oarhe, O. (2014). Whither the ivory tower? Corruption and development of higher education in Nigeria. Africa Education Review, 11(3), 311-328. https://doi.org/10.1080/18146627.2014.934990
Odeyemi, O. A., Odeyemi, O. A., Bamidele, F. A. & Adebisi, O. A. (2019). Increased research productivity in Nigeria: More to be done. Future Science OA, 5(2), FSO360. https://doi.org/10.4155/fsoa-2018-0083
Odukoya, J. A., Bowale, E. I. & Okunlola, S. (2018). Formulation and implementation of educational policies in Nigeria. African Educational Research Journal, 6(1), 1-4. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1208519.pdf
Offem, O. O., Anashie, A. I. & Aniah, S. A. (2018). Effect of strikes on management and planning of educational activities in Nigerian universities. Global Journal of Educational Research, 17(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.4314/gjedr.v17i1.1
Ogbogu, C. O. (2011). Modes of funding Nigerian universities and the implications on performance. Journal of International Education Research, 7(4), 75-82. Retrieved from file:///C:/Users/Reza/Downloads/ciadmin,+Journal+manager,+6051-24166-1-CE.pdf
Ogbogu, C. O. (2013). Policy issues in the administration of higher education in Nigeria. World Journal of Education, 3(1), 32-38. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1158621.pdf
Ogunode, N. J. & Adah, S. (2022). Accreditation of academic programs in public universities in Nigeria: Challenges and way forward. Electronic Research Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 4(2), 15-27.retrieved from http://www.eresearchjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/3.-Accredition-1.pdf
Okafor, V. N. (2011). Comparative analysis of research output of federal universities in Southern Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). 498. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/498
Okafor, V. N. (2015). Publication patterns of academics in science and engineering in federal universities in Southern Nigeria. Review of Information Science and Technology, 1(1), 18-29.
Okagbue, H. I., Atayero, A. A., Oguntunde, P. E., Opanuga, A. A., Adamu, P. I. & Adebayo, A. O. I. (2018a). Exploration of research areas of universities in Nigeria based on Scopus Subject Document Classification. International Journal of Education and Information Technologies, 12, 117-123.
 
Okagbue, H. I., Opanuga, A. A., Oguntunde, P. E., Adamu, P. I., Iroham, C. O. & Adebayo, A. O. I. (2018b). Research output analysis for universities of technology in Nigeria. International Journal of Education and Information Technologies, 12, 105-109.
Okeji, C. C. (2019). Research output of librarians in the field of library and information science in Nigeria: A bibliometric analysis from 2000-March, 2018. Collection and Curation, 38(3), 53-60. https://doi.org/10.1108/CC-04-2018-0012
Okejiri, E. (2000). Foreign technology and development of indigenous technological capabilities in the Nigerian manufacturing industry. Technology in Society, 22(2), 189-199. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0160-791X(00)00009-9
Okiki, O. C. (2013). Research productivity of teaching faculty members in Nigerian Federal Universities: An investigative study. Chinese Librarianship, 36, 99-118.
Okoli, O. H., Oguejiofor, N. P. & Okoli, N. C. (2019). Student perception of strategies for reduction of academic staff union of universities strikes in Anambra State. Multidisciplinary Journal of Education, Research and Development, 3(1), 267-279.
Okonedo, S. (2015). Research and publication productivity of librarians in public universities in South-West, Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). 1297. Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/1297
Okpe, J. I., Simisaye, A. O. & Otuza, E. C. (2013). Research output and pattern of publication among faculty in Nigerian private universities: Babcock University experience. Information and Knowledge Management, 3(9), 64-71.
 Olaleye, S., Ukpabi, D. & Mogaji, E. (2020). Public vs private universities in Nigeria: Market dynamics perspective. In E. Mogaji, F. Maringe, & R. Ebo Hinson (Eds.), Understanding the Higher Education Market in Africa (pp. 19-36). Routledge. Routledge Studies in Marketing, 12. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429325816-4
Oluwasanu, M. M., Atara, N., Balogun, W., Awolude, O., Kotila, O., Aniagwu, T., Adejumo, P., Oyedele, O. O., Ogun, M., Arinola, G., Babalola, C. P., Olopade, C. S., Olopade, O. I. & Ojengbede, O. (2019). Causes and remedies for low research productivity among postgraduate scholars and early career researchers on non-communicable diseases in Nigeria. BMC Research Notes, 12(1), 403. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-019-4458-y
Omotunde, O. I. & Alegbeleye, G. O. (2021). Talent management practices and job performance of librarians in university libraries in Nigeria. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 47(2), 102319. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2021.102319
Onuoha, J. C., Ifeanyi, L. U. & Yunisa, A. Y. (2020). Availability and utilization of e-resources in university libraries for effective research output by undergraduates of social studies in south east Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). 4489. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/4489
Onyancha, O.B. (2020). Research partnerships that count in sub Saharan Africa’s research output and impact: A bibliometrics study of selected countries, 2000-2019. African Journal of Library Archives and Information Science, 30(2), 181-195.
Onyancha, O.B. (2021). Regional and international research collaboration and citation impact in selected sub-Saharan African countries in the period 2000 to 2019. Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, 70(6/7), 577-594. https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-04-2020-0039
 
 
Opesade, A. O., Famurewa, K. F. & Igwe, E. G. (2017). Gender divergence in academics’ representation and research productivity: A Nigerian case study. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 39(3), 341-357. https://doi.org/10.1080/1360080X.2017.1306907
Oseni, M. (2012). Adequacy of budgetary allocation to educational institutions in Nigeria. Pakistan Journal of Business and Economic Review, 3(1), 143-157.
Oyewale, A. A., Adelowo, C. M. & Ekperiware, M. C. (2018). Patenting and technology entrepreneurship in Nigeria: Issues, challenges and strategic options. Journal of Economics, Management and Trade, 21(2), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.9734/JEMT/2018/34723
Rama, K. & Ramasesh, C. P. (2021). Citation study of research papers of best performing universities in Karnataka. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). 4942. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/4942
Salam, N., Alase, G., Lamidi, S. & Joseph, E. (2021). Investigating the nexus among poverty alleviation, unemployment, and economic development in Nigeria. Economics, 8(2), 190-200. https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.29.2021.82.190.200
Salisu, S. A. & Salami, M. O. (2020). A bibliometric analysis of Nigeria's research performance, 1901-2016. African Journal of Library, Archives & Information Science, 30(1), 23-36.
Simisaye, A. O. (2019). A study of research productivity of the academic staff in research institutes in south-west Nigeria. Samaru Journal of Information Studies, 19(2), 75-99. Retrieved from file:///C:/Users/Reza/Downloads/ajol-file-journals_331_articles_195467_submission_proof_195467-3949-493898-1-10-20200502.pdf
Suleiman, Y., Hanafi, Z. B. & Taslikhan, M. (2017). Private universities and development of higher education in Nigeria: A mixed methods approach. Qualitative Report, 22(7), 1848-1879. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2017.2668
Tella, A. & Onyancha, B. (2021). Scholarly publishing experience of postgraduate students in Nigerian universities. Accountability in Research, 28(7), 395-427. https://doi.org/10.1080/08989621.2020.1843444
Tonta, Y. & Akbulut, M. (2020). Does monetary support increase citation impact of scholarly papers? Scientometrics, 125(2), 1617-1641. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-020-03688-y
Ubogu, R. (2019). Challenges affecting educational research in Delta State, Nigeria. Makerere Journal of Higher Education, 10(2), 191-199. https://doi.org/10.4314/majohe.v10i2.14
Uhunmwuangho, S. O. & Diakpomrere, V. O. (2019). Comparative analysis of funding of education in Nigeria. International Journal of Arts and Humanities Ethiopia, 8(2), 18-30. https://doi.org/10.4314/ijah.v8i2.3
Usman, N. D., Shwarka, M. S., Dabs, D. Y., James, A. & Gyang, J. B. (2018). Investigating the potentials of research for sustainable development in Nigeria. African Journal of Applied Research, 4(2), 162-170. Retrieved from https://www.ajaronline.com/index.php/AJAR/article/view/283
Uthman, O. A. (2008). HIV/AIDS in Nigeria: a bibliometric analysis. BMC Infectious Diseases, 8, 19. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2334-8-19
Yusuf, A. K. (2012). An appraisal of research in Nigeria’s University sector. Journal of Research in National Development, 10(2), 321-330.
Volume 22, Issue 1 - Serial Number 1
Winter 2024
Pages 163-182

  • Receive Date 27 March 2022
  • Revise Date 24 December 2023
  • Accept Date 24 December 2023