FUPRE Celebrates Scholars Among World’s Top 2% of Scientists

Three scholars from the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE), have been named among the world’s top two percent of scientists in the 2025 Stanford University–Elsevier Global Ranking. The honourees; Prof. Olusegun Samuel, Dr. Modestus Okwu, and Dr. Elias Elemike earned their spots on the prestigious list, which evaluates researchers globally using citation data and a composite performance score across 22 disciplines and 174 subfields.

FUPRE’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ezekiel Agbalagba, hailed the achievement as a landmark moment for both the university and Nigeria’s academic community. He said the recognition reflects the nation’s growing capacity for world-class research and innovation, adding that the three scholars exemplify the university’s commitment to excellence and relevance.

Prof. Samuel, a renowned expert in Energy and Thermofluid Systems, said his third consecutive recognition was a testament to perseverance and collaboration. Dr. Okwu, known for his research in Robotics and Renewable Energy, called the ranking proof that integrity and innovation can make any university globally competitive. Similarly, Dr. Elemike, a Nanomaterials Chemist with over 100 publications, noted that sustained research and peer-reviewed impact remain key to global relevance.

With three scholars making the elite list, FUPRE continues to strengthen its reputation as one of Africa’s leading research institutions in petroleum engineering, energy systems, and advanced technologies further cementing Nigeria’s place on the global scientific map.