The University of Zululand (UNIZULU) is happy to announce that Mr. Sunday Adeola Ajagbe, a PhD student in the Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science, Agriculture, and Engineering, has been named to the Top 2% of World Scientists for 2025.
Stanford University (USA) conducts the distinguished global rating on a yearly basis in partnership with Elsevier and the Scopus scientific database. It focuses on experts whose scholarly contributions and research effect are internationally significant. In the 2025 ranking, Mr. Ajagbe was ranked 282,369 overall and 8,705 in his sector, firmly confirming his place among the world’s top scientists.
Mr. Ajagbe is currently in his third year of PhD studies and is supervised by Profs. M. O. Adigun and P. Mudali. He was also a lecturer at First Technical University in Ibadan, Nigeria, before going to UNIZULU on a study leave. His research focuses on artificial intelligence, deep learning, and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, with potential implications in pandemic preparedness and healthcare technology. His work has already helped to build a body of knowledge targeted at addressing real-world problems while establishing Africa as a vital contributor to global technology growth. He contributed to UNIZULU’s research output with 3 publications in 2022, 28 in 2023, 37 in 2024, and 40 in 2025.
In a chat with Mr Ajagbe after he received this prestigious award, he said “I am deeply grateful to UNIZULU, my supervisors, family and collaborators who have given me wings to fly like eagle. This recognition strengthens my commitment to impactful research advancing Africa’s contribution to global science.”
We heartily applauded Mr. Ajagbe on bringing dignity to the university through his exceptional achievement. This recognition is not only a personal milestone for Mr. Ajagbe, but also a reflection of the supervisor’s efforts, the Computer Science Department’s and the Faculty of Science, Agriculture, and Engineering’s support, and UNIZULU’s commitment to developing young researchers capable of shaping the future of science and technology around the world.