Text of the Address by the Vice-Chancellor, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Professor E. Smaranda OLARINDE, FCArb, FCAI, at the Vice-Chancellor’s Press Conference Heralding the 16th Anniversary and the 13th Convocation Ceremonies of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Holden at the Senate Chambers, 10:00a.m| Tuesday, October 14, 2025

PROTOCOL:

INTRODUCTION:

On behalf of all of us in our increasingly famous university, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), I welcome you, esteemed members of the Press and other distinguished personalities to today’s Vice-Chancellor’s Press Conference, which signals the commencement of activities marking the 16^th Anniversary and the 13^th Convocation Ceremonies of our great and wave-making university.

By our University’s tradition, this Press Conference kick-starts a week of activities to celebrate excellence: the excellence of our graduating students; the excellence of our world-class faculty and staff who have mentored them over the years; the excellence of our great visionary Founder and Chancellor, Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, LL. D (London), LL. D (UNILAG), LL. D (UI), D. Lit (NDA), FNIALS, FCI. Arb, FNSE, FKC (London), whose tireless commitment and passion for quality and transformational education continues to guide and inspire us; the excellence and dedication of his admirable and amiable wife, Yeye Aare Modupe Babalola, FSM, FNIMN, FFPA, as well as that of the Board of Trustees (BOT), the Governing Council, and Senate of our institution of international repute. 

Distinguished Gentlemen of the Press, it is in the public domain that since commencing academic activities on its permanent campus on Monday, January 4, 2010, ABUAD has continued its upward trajectory as the fastest growing University in Africa and the shining beacon of quality university education in Nigeria, and Africa.  

I therefore stand before you to announce with immense joy and with a deep sense of gratitude to Almighty God, that our 16-year-old Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, ABUAD, has won several Awards and Recognitions for excellence in teaching, research, innovation, agriculture, sports, impactful community service and its development. As a matter of fact, our relatively young but progressive university has now been ranked among the Best 100 top Universities by the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings which was released by Midnight of June 18, 2025 in faraway Istanbul Turkey. 

THE 2025 TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION IMPACT RANKINGS

The Times Higher Education (THE) 2025 Impact Rankings rated the University as No. 1 university in Nigeria for four consecutive years (2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025), number 3 in Africa, and number 84 globally. 

In Addition, we were also ranked as follows: 

• No. 1 in Africa in SDG 7 (Affordable & Clean Energy) with a score of 83.3%
• No. 1 in Africa in SDG 13 (Climate Change) with a score of 83.1%
• No. 2 in Africa in SDG 1 (No Poverty) with a score of 87.9%
• No. 3 in Africa in SDG 17 (Partnership for Goals) with a score of 92.4%
• No. 1 in Nigeria in SDG 1 (No Poverty) with a score of 87.9%
• No. 1 in Nigeria in SDG 7 (Affordable & Clean Energy) with a score of 83.3%
• No. 1 in Nigeria in SDG 13 (Climate Change) with a score of 83.1%, and 
• No. 1 in Nigeria in SDG 17 (Partnership for Goals) with a score of 92.4%

RESEARCH EXCELLENCE 

Building upon this milestone, the University achieved other extraordinary feats.  In research excellence, this year, seven (7) of our lecturers have been ranked among the Top 2% Scientists in the world by the Stanford University/Elsevier annual dataset. They are Engr. Prof. Yusuf Adeyinka Sikiru; Engr. Prof Poopola Lekan Taofeek; Engr. Dr. Salau Ayodeji Olalekan; Engr. Dr. Okokpujie Imhade Princess; Engr. Dr. Ikumapayi Omolayo, Prof. Olujobi Olusola Joshua, and Prof. Oyinloye Babatunde Emmanuel. Two of our staff, Professor Oluwafemi Ogunmodede of the College of Sciences and Dr. Juliet Olayinka, from the College of Medical and Health Sciences received a major grant from Seeding Labs in 2025, securing 79 high-end science equipment items valued at over $298,000 (₦480.2 million).

KEY INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

In the United Kingdom, our collaboration with King’s College London has blossomed, with the Afe Babalola Centre for Transnational Education established in 2023. This year, five students attended a two-week exchange summer school program at King’s College, University of London.

In the United States, our partnership with Johns Hopkins Hospital facilitates clinical postings for 500-level medical students where our students are introduced to cutting-edge tools such as insulin pumps, multidisciplinary care in the ICU, robotic surgeries, and hands-on experience.

In France, we are collaborating with the Collège de Paris on dual-degree programs in tourism and business management to equip graduates for global careers.

In China, our tie-up with Zhejiang University of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Polytechnic emphasizes intelligent manufacturing technology, intelligent control, and hands-on industrial automation residencies for engineering students, with 38 set to travel for a month of practical training. We are also advancing AI-driven oncology and cancer research innovations through collaboration with the Cherami Group in Guangzhou, China. This collaboration focuses on AI-assisted clinical decision support to align education, research, and practice for the future.

In addition our partnership with ChinesePlus, Beijing, provides basic Chinese language certificate programs. We are happy to let you know that we also have a landmark collaboration with the Shenzhen Institute of Information Technology (SZIIT)

In Canada, we partner with Trinity Western University on leadership initiatives, including the 2nd International Leadership Conference on Leadership, Governance, Sustainable Change, and Wealth Creation, co-organized as part of our 2025 convocation activities.

In South Africa, our ongoing collaboration with Durban University of Technology (DUT) supports staff and student exchanges, joint research supervision, and applied studies to unite African universities. This year, three staff members graduated via this exchange program.

In Morocco, we partnered with IBN TOFAIL University, Kenitra, to strengthen joint research and scientific programs.

Furthermore, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) has entered into a strategic partnership with New Horizons System Solution Limited, a leading global digital and ICT  training institute. This partnership will integrate key Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) skill sets, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) international certification, Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain Technology, 3D Technology, and the Metaverse into the University’s academic curriculum.

This forward-thinking initiative is designed to ensure that ABUAD graduates are globally competitive, innovation-driven, and equipped to become wealth creators rather than job seekers upon graduation. 

AFE BABALOLA AGRICULTURAL EXPOSITION (ABAEX)

Earlier this month, the 10^th Edition of the Afe Babalola Agricultural Exposition (ABAEX) was held, once again showcasing the Founder, Aare Afe Babalola SAN’s exceptional generosity through a (forty four point five  million naira) ₦44.5 million sponsorship. The funding covered logistics, media, farmers, and youth empowerment. Cash awards were given to five outstanding farmers from each of Ekiti State’s 16 local government areas. The 2025 edition also featured the ABAEX–UNESCO Youth Empowerment Programme, where 32 youths received training in confectionery entrepreneurship, along with equipment and start-up funds to establish their own ventures.

AFE BABALOLA MULTI-SYSTEM HOSPITAL (AMSH)

The Afe Babalola Multi-System Hospital (AMSH) continues to set new standards in medical innovation and healthcare delivery in West Africa. As of August 2025, AMSH has completed 31 successful kidney transplants, including 14 in collaboration with Marengo Asia Hospitals, achieving an excellent success rate. The hospital operates 17 modern dialysis machines and performs an average of 400 dialysis sessions monthly. This positions AMSH as a regional leader in nephrology and renal care. 

Through the Afe Abiye Initiative, over 500 pregnant women have received free antenatal care, and more than 150 deliveries have been conducted at no cost, advancing maternal and child health in Ekiti State. 

In January 2025, the ABUAD Fertility Centre was commissioned under the inspiring theme “Empowering Hope, Delivering Miracles,” expanding access to ethical, advanced reproductive healthcare services.

For its outstanding contributions to healthcare delivery, AMSH received the Special Recognition Award from the National Healthcare Excellence Awards Group, which commended AMSH’s excellence in hospital management, patient experience, and clinical innovation.

SPORTS

In the area of sports, Afe Babalola University reaffirmed its dominance by emerging as Overall Champion at the 8th Nigeria Private University Games Association (NPUGA) held at Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State. The University’s athletes secured an impressive 42 medals, a reflection of ABUAD’s enduring commitment to nurturing physical fitness, teamwork, and discipline alongside academic and moral development.

All these achievements and a warren of others would not have been possible without the cooperation and collaboration of ABUAD stakeholders. We therefore give glory to God and heartily acknowledge the contributions and support of all our collaborators and stakeholders including regulatory bodies such as the National Universities Commission, NUC; the Medical & Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN; the Council for Legal Education; the Chartered Institution of Arbitrators CIArb; the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE; Computer Professionals (Registration Council of Nigeria), CPN; the Chartered Institute of Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN; Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN; the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, IITA; the parents, our dedicated staff, our students and very importantly, you Gentlemen of the Press.  

Given that many of these and our other unparalleled accomplishments are already well known to you, I would restrict the rest of my remarks today to the all-important event: the forthcoming 16^th Anniversary and the 13^th Convocation Ceremonies of Afe Babalola University.

2025 CONVOCATION: 

Gentlemen of the Press, you will recall that since we graduated our first set of 139 students from the College of Sciences and College of Social & Management Sciences during our maiden Convocation on Sunday, October 21, 2013, we have graduated 12 other sets of students, despite, and notwithstanding, the menacing impact of Covid-19 which ravaged the entire globe between November 2019 and the better part of 2020.

This year, we are graduating an overall total of 1,841 students.

Updated Summary of Class of Degrees 2025/2026

The College-by-College breakdown of the Classes of Degrees is as follows:

MBBS STUDENTS (EXCLUDED) : 194

Optometry: 10

OVERALL TOTAL: 1,841 

Breakdown of Degrees from 2013 Convocation – 2025 Convocation

Cumulatively, the university has graduated 15,115 students, both at first-degree and Postgraduate levels, since its maiden Convocation on October 21, 2013. 

It is worthy of note that this year, we are proud to graduate from the College of Pharmacy, the pioneering set of Dr. of Pharmacy degree holders, out of which 25 obtained distinctions. ABUAD is one of the very few institutions, and, perhaps, the only private institution, offering the Dr. of Pharmacy degree in Nigeria. 

CONVOCATION ACTIVITIES 

Immediately after the briefing, the Chief Executive Officer of ABUAD Ventures, Yeye Aare Modupe Babalola, FSM, FNIMN, FFPA, will be decorated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists’ National Award of Excellence and honoured as a Matron by the Ekiti State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.

Other events lined up for the 2025 Convocation activities are as follows: 

Tomorrow, Wednesday, October 15, 2025, the University’s Graduating Economics Students will be inducted into the Nigerian Economics Society (NES) at Owolabi Hall at 10:00 am.  This will be followed by the induction of the Graduating Students of Computer Science to be conducted by the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN) at the same venue by 1:00 pm.

On Thursday, October 16, 2025, the induction of the Medical Laboratory Science Graduating Students will take place at Owolabi Hall at 9.00 am. The day’s activities will be rounded off with the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) Induction/Oath-taking Ceremony for ABUAD Engineering Graduating Students at Owolabi Hall by 1.00 pm.

Friday, October 17, 2025, we shall have the International Leadership Conference 2025 (2.0), with the theme: “Shaping Transformational Leaders for a Changing World: Tackling Insecurity, Governance and Development”.

The Conference which will feature an array of seasoned international speakers from across the globe will take place at Alfa Belgore Hall at 9:00 am. This will be followed by the Jumat Service at Owolabi Hall by 1:00 pm. The day’s activities will be rounded off with the Investiture of ABUAD Graduating Law Students as Associate Members of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators at the same venue by 3:00 pm

On Saturday, October 18, 2025, we will celebrate the 2^nd edition of the Annual Aare Afe Babalola Day which has been declared by the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Aladesanmi III, CON, JP, on behalf of all the sons and daughters of Ado-Ekiti, to honour our Founder. The event will take place at the Ewi’s Palace by 10:00 A.M. 

The celebration is in appreciation of what His Royal Majesty described as Aare’s “unalloyed commitment to public service with regard to Law, Education, Health, Community Development, Agriculture and display of generosity to those that might be fortunate to come across him in life”.

The ceremony at the Palace will be followed by Sporting activities at the ABUAD Sports Pavillion by 4.00 pm.

CONVOCATION LECTURE:

On Monday, October 20, 2025, the highly cerebral legal beacon and advocate, Chief Wole Olanipekun, CFR, OFR, SAN, LL. D, D.  Lit, FCI. Arb, FNIALS, will deliver the Convocation Lecture titled: “Nigeria – Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, The Imperative of a Sober and Definitive Recalibration” at Alfa Belgore Hall by 10.00 a.m.

CONVOCATION THANKSGIVING SERVICE: 

This year’s Convocation Thanksgiving Service will take place at Alfa Belgore Hall, by 10 O’clock A.M on Sunday, October 19, 2025. The Preacher will be Bishop Felix F. Ajakaiye, the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese. 

HONORARY DEGREES:

Three eminent and deserving Nigerians will be conferred with the university’s Honorary Degrees during the grand finale of this year’s Convocation, which will be witnessed by the crème-de-la-crème of the society, including members of the Bar and the Bench, Legal Academics, the Royalty, the Clergy, Captains of industry, and members of the Diplomatic Community.

It is a notorious fact that Honorary Degrees anywhere in the world are awarded on a highly selective basis to persons of proven integrity and character, who have made exceptional and distinguished lifetime contributions to the society.  

In strict compliance with the 2012 Keffi Declaration, the University’s Council and Senate, after a thorough as well as merit-based selection process, approved the nominations of three eminent personalities for the conferment of Honorary Degrees. This is in appreciation of the various ways they have impacted society in different areas of their callings.  

The three recipients of the University’s Honorary Degrees  are: 

1. Chief Wole Olanipekun, OFR, CFR, SAN, LL. D, D.  Lit, FCI. Arb, FNIALS, a well-rounded Legal Practitioner, a mentor to many, the 20th President of the NBA, 50th Chairman of the Body of Benchers, a lover of quality and functional education, an unbending Philanthropist and a renowned University Administrator who had at various times been the Pro-Chancellor & Chairman of the Governing Council, University of Ibadan, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, and currently occupying the same office at his alma mater, the University of Lagos.  He will be awarded the University’s Honorary Doctor of Laws, LL. D honoris causa.

2. Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, OON, an outstandingly brilliant Broadcaster who later veered into politics and got into the House of Representative where she served with dignity, honour and character. This firm, frank, fair, friendly and well-respected Nigerian who is fondly called ”Mother Teresa of the Tube” because of her compassion for the less privileged, is also known as ”Lady Diaspora” on account of her pioneering efforts in putting Diaspora Affairs on the front burner. She believes that success is not about age, character or how much one has but how many lives one is able to touch; will be decorated with Doctor of Letters, D. Lit Honoris Causa.  

3. Princess (Dr.) Mrs. Rosemary Osula Mku-Atu, a business mogul whose life has become the true definition of a mother’s sacrifices, a phenomenal Philanthropist, a true friend of the poor, an emblem of hard work, a harbinger of hope, and a lover of quality and functional education; the Benin Princess will be decorated with Honourary Degree of Doctor of Letters of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti.

I congratulate these three eminent leaders and trailblazers for being counted worthy to be Honorary Alumni of our University. They will be formally decorated at the grand finale of this year’s convocation ceremonies on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.  On behalf of the entire ABUAD Community, I heartily congratulate and welcome them into the ABUAD family of Pacesetters.

AN APPEAL TO THE GOVERNMENT ACROSS LEVELS

Let me, first and foremost, commend the Government of Ekiti State under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, for being a worthy host and for maintaining the fabric of peace that enables everyone to thrive successfully in the State.

As the privileged Vice-Chancellor of this noble citadel of learning, I am proud to re-affirm that we have continued to bring honour, global visibility, and pride to Ekiti and to Nigeria at large. We have been ranked No. 84 in the world, No. 3 in Africa, and No. 1 in Nigeria for four consecutive years. However, despite these remarkable achievements, the Ado–Ijan–Ikare Federal Road, which serves as the major access route to the University, remains in a deplorable condition. I once again appeal, as I did last year, that this road be urgently rehabilitated, reconstructed, and fixed. The road should be treated as a top priority, considering that ABUAD hosts students from all 36 States of the Federation, and has international students too. The said route is a major link road to the airport, Ondo State, and the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria’s seat of power.

His Imperial Majesty, The Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III, CON, JP, graciously declared October 18 as Afe Babalola Day, a well-deserved recognition of our Founder’s immense contributions, which was celebrated with great enthusiasm in 2024. However, I wish to place on record that, while the Founder deeply appreciates this honour, he has expressed his concern towards the celebration of the 2025 Afe Day due to the poor state of the access road. Truly, fixing this vital road for Nigerian citizens, our dear Ekiti State, Afe Babalola University, Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti, and to honour a living legend whose immeasurable contributions continue to attract global acclaim, is not too much to ask .

In addition, I must congratulate the Ekiti State Government on the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport, which has received approval from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for the commencement of scheduled (commercial) flight operations, effective October 4, 2025. Now that the airport has finally received this much-awaited NCAA approval, we urge the Government to expedite all necessary processes to ensure that full commercial operations commence without delay. This will enable the airport to fulfil its intended purpose as a catalyst for economic growth, investment, and sustainable development of Ekiti State.

On behalf of staff, parents, students, and the entire Afe Babalola University community, as well as the distinguished sons and daughters of Ekiti land, I humbly appeal to the government, across all levels, to address these pressing issues with utmost seriousness and speed. Such intervention will not only save lives and restore safety but will also enhance security, and the socio-economic and academic activities in the region.

APPRECIATION

At this juncture, I must thank all stakeholders, but I want to single out:

• The National Universities Commission (NUC) and other regulatory councils
• Parents and guardians who have entrusted us with their children
• Our dedicated staff and committed students
• Our ever-supportive media partners, the Gentlemen of the Press, who have, over the years, promoted ABUAD’s image. 

Above all, I thank God Almighty for the gift of Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola, SAN, our Founder and Chancellor, whose great courage, vision, sacrifice, and philanthropy have made ABUAD the model citadel of learning of global repute.

CONCLUSION

Distinguished Gentlemen of the Press, members of the 4th and 5th Estate of the Realm, let me conclude this Press Briefing by specially thanking you all for honoring our invitation and for partnering with us on this transformative and impactful journey. I want to re-emphasis that we cannot do it all alone. We shall continue to covet your support in our determined effort to institutionalize quality and functional education and raise a new generation of transformational, impactful leaders in Nigeria. 

We want the whole world to hear, through you, the remarkable story and legacy of quality and world-class education that is changing the narrative of Higher Education in our country and beyond. This is done by one great man of formidable vision and courage, the man who makes impossibility possible– the living legend, the reformer, the motivator, and the iconoclast, Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola,  OFR, CON, SAN, FCI.Arb, FNAILS, LL.D.hc, London, LL.D.hc, Unilag, LL.D.hc, Unijos, LL.D.hc, UNAd, D.Litt.hc, KSU, FKC (London). 

Notwithstanding the current economic challenges, the future of Higher Education in Nigeria remains bright with the hope of having many more impactful Universities such as ABUAD. With your support, we will continue to expand the frontiers of possibilities as the reference point and benchmark for world-class research, impactful learning, innovation, technology, Sports, agriculture and enterprise development.

While thanking you all for listening, I most heartily invite you to be part of our 2025 Convocation activities. 

God bless Afe Babalola University ABUAD!

God bless Ekiti State! 

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Thank you