Lagos State University (LASU) has emerged as the top university in West Africa following the release of the 2025 UI GreenMetric World University Ranking for Sustainability. This marks the fourth consecutive year, 2022 through 2025, that LASU has held the number-one spot in Nigeria and across the sub-region.
The 2025 ranking, published on 4 December, evaluated 1,745 institutions from 105 countries, reflecting the growing global awareness of environmental sustainability among higher-education institutions.
Beyond its regional triumph, LASU made a significant leap in global standings: moving up 39 places from 799th in 2024 to 760th in 2025.
Officials at the university attribute this upward trajectory to deepening institutional commitment to green practices. According to a statement by the university’s Public Relations office, LASU’s continued progress within the global ranking platform stems from ongoing efforts toward sustainable campus development, innovation, and operational responsibility.
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Institutional pride and collective recognition
On receiving official notification of LASU’s global advance, the Vice-Chancellor, Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, conveyed humble pride and heartfelt congratulations to the entire LASU community. In her remarks, she credited the accomplishment not to individuals but to collective effort — from students and staff to the policy-makers and governance structures supporting the institution.
Special mention went to key internal units whose coordinated work underpinned LASU’s success: the Special Ranking Committee led by Adenike Boyo; the Directorate of Research Management and Innovation under Adejuwon Adeneye; the Centre for Actualisation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) led by Tayo Ajayi; and the Centre for Planning Studies under Acting Director Fatai Ogundele.
The leadership also acknowledged the supportive role of the state government. Through strategic investment and encouragement, the government has helped shape an enabling environment for LASU’s sustainability and academic ambitions to flourish.
What UI GreenMetric measures and why it matters
UI GreenMetric is a global ranking system initiated in 2010 by Universitas Indonesia. It evaluates universities worldwide on their environmental and sustainability performance through 39 indicators across six categories: setting and infrastructure; energy and climate change; waste management; water usage; transportation; and sustainability-focused education and research.
The assessment covers a range of practical areas, including water conservation, waste recycling, green transportation, campus infrastructure, and sustainable policies. Institutions are scored based on their authority, transparency and effectiveness in implementing eco-friendly practices.
For institutions like LASU, a strong GreenMetric ranking signals commitment to sustainability and global academic relevance. In an age where environmental responsibility is becoming increasingly central, this kind of recognition boosts institutional credibility internationally while resonating with students and stakeholders who value sustainable development.
Beyond ranking: What this means for LASU and Nigerian higher education
LASU’s consistent top placement in West Africa and improved global ranking is more than a badge of honour. It is an indication that Nigerian universities can compete on international sustainability standards, not just in academics, but in holistic campus life driven by environmental consciousness.
By sustaining this momentum, LASU positions itself as a model for other institutions across Nigeria and the sub-region. The example it sets — combining academic endeavour with institutional sustainability, may inspire universities to prioritise eco-friendly policies, sustainable infrastructure, water- and waste-management systems, and green-transport strategies.
For prospective students and stakeholders, LASU’s achievement offers assurance that the institution is evolving beyond traditional metrics of excellence; it is embracing a broader, globally minded definition of quality, one that includes environmental responsibility. That combination could well shape the future of higher education in Nigeria.
As LASU basks in this recognition, expectations rise. The challenge ahead will be to sustain these gains, deepen green practices, and translate global sustainability status into tangible improvements, for campus life now, and the planet later.
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