- January 23, 2026
- Posted by: itmanager
- Category: Latest News, Tertiary Education, Uncategorized
The Founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado‑Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, has once again demonstrated his matchless philanthropy and institutional excellence with the approval of far‑reaching welfare reforms and a fresh salary increment for staff.
The landmark announcements were made at the 2026 Founder/Staff Congress held on Friday, January 23, 2026, at the Alfa Belgore Hall, where academic, medical and non‑teaching staff gathered for what many described as one of the most consequential staff engagements in the University’s history.
Addressing the Congress, the Founder and Chancellor described staff as the very soul and identity of the University, noting that no amount of infrastructure or aesthetic brilliance could substitute for committed human capital.
He recalled that ABUAD was ranked Number One in Nigeria for four consecutive years (2022–2025), third in Africa and 84th globally in the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, with exceptional performances across key Sustainable Development Goals including Climate Action, Affordable and Clean Energy, No Poverty and Partnerships for the Goals.
“These were your collective efforts under the leadership of my Vice-Chancellor and her meritorious team. You all keyed into my vision and we are jointly accomplishing ABUAD’s mission” the Chancellor added.
He cited the University’s Multi‑System Hospital, Industrial Park, planetarium, research‑driven agricultural processing initiatives and fully residential campus model as tangible expressions of an education system anchored on relevance, innovation and impact.
In a major boost to staff welfare, the Founder announced that following the Federal Government’s reviewed remuneration package for academic staff and health professionals, he had approved an additional 10 per cent salary increment for ABUAD academic staff, effective January 2026, on top of the federal 40 per cent adjustment.
“I am pleased to inform you that on the 20th of January, I approved the comprehensive ABUAD Staff Welfare / Exit Policy to reward loyalty and long‑term service. The policy includes a structured gratuity and exit benefit scheme, enhanced pension contributions with ABUAD increasing its share to 10 per cent, the introduction of a December bonus, long‑service awards, defined tenure exit packages and the establishment of a university‑owned microfinance bank to support staff welfare. A designated staff residential estate to promote home ownership was also announced.”
Earlier in her address, the Vice‑Chancellor, Professor E. Smaranda Olarinde, FCArb, FCAI, described the Congress as deliberate and responsive, convened by a Founder who understands that institutional excellence is inseparable from staff wellbeing.
Prof. Olarinde referenced a recent remark by the Registrar of the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria (ODORBN), who described ABUAD with the acronym WGA- “Why Going Abroad?” A powerful endorsement of the quality of training, facilities and human resources within the University.
While applauding the enhanced welfare measures, the Vice‑Chancellor urged staff to match increased benefits with renewed commitment to excellence, discipline, integrity and quality service delivery.
She emphasised that ABUAD’s global standing must be sustained through continuous innovation, impactful research and unwavering professionalism.
Speaking on behalf of the staff, a renowned Professor of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the College of Pharmacy, Prof. Olaposi Omotuyi, alongside the Deputy Director, ABUAD Part-Time Studies, Dr. Ife Ajepe, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Founder for his visionary leadership and uncommon investment in people. They reaffirmed the staff’s collective loyalty and commitment to the University, pledging renewed dedication to the advancement of quality tertiary education.
“You don’t see us as staff but as stakeholders and we are rededicating ourselves to ABUAD and the system” they affirmed