Aare Afe Babalola Calls for Global Peace Reforms at 2025 ABUAD Diplomatic Dialogue

The Founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, has called for intensified efforts to ensure that peace reigns and prevails across the world.

Speaking at the 2025 Diplomatic Dialogue organized by the university’s Department of International Relations and Diplomacy (IRD), the revered elder statesman and legal luminary emphasized the urgent need for stronger collaboration and goodwill to tackle the root causes of conflict.

“We must work harder, and when we do, there will be peace,” Aare Babalola said. “When there is peace, there is no war. It is because there is no peace that nations are devasted by wars.”

The revered Chancellor expressed deep concern over the state of global governance, particularly criticizing the structure of the United Nations Security Council and condemned the disproportionate power granted to a few countries, which he said has hindered international consensus on key security issues.

“We are not aware of the harm we do to ourselves,” he noted. “The United Nations went out and allowed a few countries to veto decisions of the Security Council. When all five or so agree that a particular war should stop, one country can stand up and, because of the power it holds, veto the decision.”

During the event, Aare Babalola also commended the Guest Lecturer, Ambassador Usman Sarki, for what he described as an excellent presentation.

The Vice-Chancellor of ABUAD, Professor E. Smaranda Olarinde, FCArb, FCAI, in her opening remarks, described the Diplomatic Dialogue as timely and essential. She emphasized the need to review the impact of the United Nations over the last 80 years, especially in light of its peacekeeping and diplomatic roles.

“It is imperative that we reflect on UN’s journey so far, its many triumphs in peacekeeping, humanitarian efforts, and conflict resolution, as well as the persistent and emerging challenges threatening the very fabric of global peace and security,” Prof Olarinde added.

Delivering his lecture on the theme “The United Nations at 80 Years of Existence: The Achievements and Challenges in Global Peace and Security in the 21st Century,” Ambassador Sarki, a former Deputy Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations, took the opportunity to celebrate the founder and his university.

“ABUAD exceeds all my expectations,” he said. “Aare Afe Babalola deserves to be declared a living heritage. He is not just a citizen, but a legacy in our midst. It takes deep conviction, belief in the Creator, and belief in the unity and oneness of this country to do what he has done.”

In his lecture, the ambassador identified a number of contradictions that continue to undermine the effectiveness of the United Nations. These, he said, include conflicts between absolute and restricted sovereignty, nationalism and globalism, multilateralism and unilateralism, and national versus universal interest.

“To make the UN fit for purpose in the 21st century, we must address these contradictions,” Ambassador Sarkin said. “This must begin with reforming the Security Council, where the inability of the five permanent members to reach consensus has stalled critical decisions, such as those involving the prolonged Israeli-Palestinian conflict and ongoing crises in places such as Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).”

The Diplomatic Dialogue, an annual event, is part of ABUAD’s broader efforts to foster academic engagement on global issues and to promote a culture of peace and diplomacy among the next generation of leaders.

FROM THE VC’s DESK