- January 24, 2026
- Posted by: Joseph EMERIBE
- Category: Uncategorized
The Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) community was awash with vibrant colours, rich cultural expressions, and a spirit of global unity as students, staff, and dignitaries gathered to celebrate the 2026 Chinese New Year.
The event, held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at the Alfa Belgore Hall, showcased an impressive blend of Chinese heritage and artistic excellence. Activities featured captivating performances ranging from Mandarin songs and poetry to dramatic presentations, Kung Fu displays, and an exhibition of assorted Chinese cuisine, all of which thrilled the audience and underscored ABUAD’s commitment to multicultural engagement.
Chinese New Year 2026 marks the Year of the Fire Horse which symbolizes energy, passion, courage, and rapid transformation, values that resonated strongly throughout the celebration.
In her New Year message, the Vice-Chancellor, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Professor E. Smaranda Olarinde, FCArb, FCAI, drew striking parallels between the symbolism of the Year of the Fire Horse and the University’s defining ethos.
“The Year of the Fire Horse is particularly meaningful to ABUAD, as it reflects the institution’s spirit of boldness, resilience, intelligence, loyalty, and dynamic progress,” said the Vice-chancellor.
She noted that these attributes continue to define ABUAD as a pace-setting institution, proudly ranked Number One in Nigeria, Number Three in Africa, and 84th globally, with sustained leadership in innovation, academic excellence, and international relevance.
The Vice-Chancellor further emphasized that the celebration was more than a cultural festivity, describing it as a testament to ABUAD’s unwavering commitment to international collaboration, cultural exchange, and global citizenship through its partnership with the Confucius Institute and other Chinese institutions.
Speaking at the event, the Chinese Director, Professor Wu Shuang, alongside her counterpart from the Confucius Institute, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Obi Iwuagwu, commended ABUAD for leading the vanguard of international and cross-cultural engagement in Nigeria’s higher education landscape.
“I sincerely commend the full cooperation of ABUAD Staff and students for putting up this beautiful show. Today is a Saturday yet the Hall is quite full with students performing the Chinese song, drama and poetry very smoothly” Prof. Shuang added
The celebration, held in commemoration of the Chinese New Year as marked by the lunar calendar, beginning on February 17, 2026, and ending on February 5, 2027, reached its climax with the presentation of cash prizes and awards to outstanding individuals and cultural groups, reinforcing ABUAD’s commitment to promoting Chinese language learning, cultural appreciation, and international understanding.
The colourful celebration once again highlighted ABUAD’s pivotal role in advancing cross-cultural relationships and global relevance through visionary leadership, strategic partnerships, and forward-thinking educational initiatives.