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– Reaffirms ABUAD’s commitment to quality education
From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
The Proprietor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, has again added another feather to his already crowded cap as he bagged an honorary fellowship award from the prestigious Nigerian Academy of Education (NAE).
According to NAE, Babalola was recognised for changing the narratives in private university education, his immense contributions to the growth and development of the country’s education sector, and for answering the call of service to humanity.
The NAE disclosed this in a letter addressed to Babalola and signed by the Secretary General of the Academy, Prof. Elizabeth Okeke.
The letter reads, “On behalf of the President and EXCOS of the NAE, it is my pleasure to inform you that on 9 July 2025, Nigerian Academy of Education gave its approval after due consideration of your nomination to become an HONORARY FELLOW of the Academy.
“Consequently, your formal induction into the Academy for Honorary Fellowship will be on Thursday, 6 November 2025, at the Conference Hall, National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) Building, Plot 892 Cadastral Zone, A01, Ralph Shodeinde Street, Central Business District, Garki, Abuja FCT, during the Opening Ceremony of the 40th Anniversary of NAE.
“As you receive the award, you will become a friend of the NAE and receive the Academy Gown and Plaque. In addition, you will affix FNAE after your name. NAE may invite you to some of her activities and expects you to attend whenever you can and support her morally and financially.
“No doubt, your recognition and award will be a clarion call for all who are called to the service of humanity. Congratulations for being recognised for your works for humanity and the dignity that education confers on a citizen.”
Receiving the award in Ado-Ekiti, capital of Ekiti State, Babalola appreciated NAE for the recognition. He assured that ABUAD will continue to provide quality and functional education and he will not rest on his oars in his service to humanity.
“I thank the Nigerian Academy of Education for this fellowship award. We will continue to ensure that ABUAD excels in quality and functional education.”
Continuing, Babalola, who said he established the university as a non-profit making university where whatever profit made will be reinvested into the institution, restated that he will continue to run the university in that wise.
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Babalola, who said that ABUAD will continue to serve as a beacon of hope and a model for private university education in Nigeria and Africa, noted that the institution has continued to be oversubscribed with students from the 36 states, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and outside the country attending the university. He disclosed that the institution remains debt-free and financially stable and hinted that the university would soon begin to offer scholarships to students from foreign countries.
“After leaving the University of Lagos as the Pro-Chancellor, I said I was going to establish my own university, a private university, a non-profit university, where every profit we make will go back to this school.
“I have no shares there. You have no share there. The only share is to pay debt. If it was money, if it will not happen, it is okay and it will never happen.
“We are already in billions. So you can never have the debt. The money will be saved. Keep money for endowment, which you can use at any time.
“Very soon, by the grace of God, we will be giving scholarships to students from foreign countries. We have hope, we plan, and we achieve.
“I received this letter from the Nigerian Academy of Education, giving me this award. And I wrote back that I couldn’t come because of that matter. So I had to send somebody. And I sent one of our most reliable professors, who went and accepted it. He sent me my gown and letter.
“That I should wear it and take my own picture with it. Why should I do this in private? It has to be in the presence of my accredited representatives, the teachers of this university, who are making waves.
“I don’t know what else you want to achieve, which you have not achieved. I am a very proud man. My wish and my hope is that when I leave, as I have to leave anyway, is that we will compete with earlier universities.
“Our problem in Nigeria is discipline. When a man is not disciplined, he is a useless person. When a man is not disciplined, he will steal. He won’t be able to carry out the love of God, the doctrine of God. Love your neighbour like yourself.”
The NAE fellowship award has added to the collection of awards received by the legal giant, who happened to be the first African to be decorated with honorary Doctor of Law at the University of London, honorary fellowship award by the West African College of Nursing (WACN) for his contributions to quality education, honorary fellowship award by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) for his passion for healthcare development in Nigeria, among other awards too numerous to mention.
