Former NBA President, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Calls for a New Constitution at ABUAD’s 13th Convocation Lecture

Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and former Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, has called for a complete overhaul of the 1999 Constitution, describing it as outdated and unsuitable for Nigeria’s present realities.

He made the call on Monday, October 20, 2025, while delivering the 13th Convocation Lecture of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD).

Chief Olanipekun emphasized that Nigeria requires a homegrown legal framework that genuinely reflects the collective will and peculiarities of its people, rather than continued amendments that fail to address the nation’s structural challenges.

“You don’t keep amending what is unamendable. We want a country where there is unity in diversity, not diversity in unity. President Tinubu cannot do it alone, but the zones in Nigeria can team up to build a formidable force,” he stated.

He further called for a national referendum to chart a new course for the largest black nation on earth, stressing the need for leadership that embraces gender balance and inclusivity.

Describing ABUAD as the “Goshen and Canaan of Ekiti and Nigeria,” Chief Olanipekun commended the University’s Founder and Chancellor, Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, whom he likened to Gamaliel in the New Testament, a wise teacher to whom Apostle Paul attributed his training.

The Guest Lecturer’s presentation received widespread commendation. Prof. Peter Okebukola, OFR, former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), described it as a five-star lecture, noting that Chief Olanipekun’s brilliance stems from his deep faith and grounding in biblical principles. He also lauded ABUAD as the best university in sub-Saharan Africa in terms of infrastructure, scholarship, and moral discipline.

In his remarks, Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, OFR, affirmed that Nigeria is long overdue for a new constitution, emphasizing the need for restructuring to relieve the federating units from excessive centralization.

“Nigeria needs restructuring to loosen the ties choking the federating units. Our beloved country is indeed great, but over-centralization remains a major concern,” Prof. Adeniran said.

He added that both the Constitution and its interpreters play critical roles in building a better Nigeria and recommended that the lecture be circulated nationwide.

Expressing his delight, Aare Afe Babalola, CON, SAN, described the lecture as the best in the institution’s history, aligning perfectly with his long-held advocacy for restructuring.

“Nigeria is in trouble. There’s no money in the Central Bank of Nigeria. I have always been an advocate for restructuring. Moreover, since women outnumber men in our society, they deserve greater representation in leadership,” he said.

The Chancellor also sought the lecturer’s consent to circulate the presentation widely among students and policymakers.

“We’ll need the soft copy of the lecture to reach every part of the country, including the Legislature, Judiciary, and the Presidency,” he added.

Earlier, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. E. Smaranda Olarinde, FCArb, FCAI, in her welcome address, described the Convocation Lecture as a prestigious platform for critical reflection, noting that such lectures create opportunities for robust intellectual engagement and visionary ideas that shape not only the trajectory of the university but also the destiny of the nation.

Closing the ceremony, Registrar, Lady Christie Oluborode, expressed appreciation to the Guest Lecturer and invited all guests to attend the Convocation and Awards Ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, October 21, 2025.

The event was graced by distinguished personalities from Nigeria’s bar and bench, traditional institutions, academia, civil society, and policymaking circles. A captivating performance by the Department of Performing Arts, themed around peace, unity, and oneness, added colour and excitement to the ceremony.