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229 graduate with first class
From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
The Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), is set to confer honorary doctorates on legal luminary and philanthropist, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and a business mogul, Rosemary Mku-Atu, at its convocation ceremony, billed to hold on October 21, 2025.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, on Tuesday, in Ado-Ekiti, made the disclosure during a press conference heralding the commencement of activities marking the 16th anniversary and the 13th convocation ceremonies of the institution.
The VC who revealed that the institution would graduate 1,841 students across various departments at this year’s convocation, said 229 of the number would be graduating with first-class degrees.
The VC also announced the graduation of the pioneer set of Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) degree holders, with 25 students earning distinctions.
“This year, we are graduating an overall total of 1,841 students. Cumulatively, the university has graduated 15,115 students, both at first-degree and postgraduate levels, since its maiden convocation on October 21, 2013.
“It is worthy of note that this year, we are proud to graduate from the College of Pharmacy, the pioneering set of Doctor of Pharmacy degree holders, out of which 25 obtained distinctions. ABUAD is one of the very few institutions, and, perhaps, the only private institution, offering the Doctor of Pharmacy degree in Nigeria.”
According to her, the Convocation Lecture will be delivered by former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) on October 20 on the topic: “Nigeria – Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: The Imperative of a Sober and Definitive Recalibration.”
“On Monday, October 20, 2025, the highly cerebral legal beacon and advocate, Chief Wole Olanipekun, CFR, OFR, SAN, LL.D, D.Lit, FCIArb, FNIALS, will deliver the Convocation Lecture titled: ‘Nigeria – Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, The Imperative of a Sober and Definitive Recalibration’ at Alfa Belgore Hall by 10.00 a.m.”
Olarinde explained that the decision of the university to confer honorary degrees on the three eminent personalities is to appreciate their exceptional contributions to society.
“Three eminent and deserving Nigerians will be conferred with the university’s Honorary Degrees during the grand finale of this year’s Convocation, which will be witnessed by the crème de la crème of the society, including members of the Bar and the Bench, legal academics, the royalty, the clergy, captains of industry and members of the diplomatic community.
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“It is a notorious fact that Honorary Degrees anywhere in the world are awarded on a highly selective basis to persons of proven integrity and character, who have made exceptional and distinguished lifetime contributions to society.
“In strict compliance with the 2012 Keffi Declaration, the University’s Council and Senate, after a thorough as well as merit-based selection process, approved the nominations of three eminent personalities for the conferment of Honorary Degrees. This is in appreciation of the various ways they have impacted society in different areas of their callings.
“The three recipients of the University’s Honorary Degrees are: a well-rounded legal practitioner, Chief Wole Olanipekun, who will be awarded the University’s Honorary Doctor of Laws, LL.D (Honoris Causa), Hon. Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa, OON, who will be decorated with Doctor of Letters, D.Lit (Honoris Causa) and a business mogul, and Benin Princess (Dr) Mrs. Rosemary Osula Mku-Atu, who will be decorated with Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters of Afe Babalola University.”
However, the VC who used the occasion to again decry the deplorable condition of the road leading to the university and the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, the Ado-Ijan-Ikare federal road, appealed to the Federal Government to rehabilitate and reconstruct the road.
“As the privileged Vice-Chancellor of this noble citadel of learning, I am proud to reaffirm that we have continued to bring honour, global visibility and pride to Ekiti and to Nigeria at large. We have been ranked Number 84 in the world, Number 3 in Africa and Number 1 in Nigeria for four consecutive years.
“However, despite these remarkable achievements, the Ado-Ijan-Ikare Federal Road, which serves as the major access route to the university, remains in a deplorable condition. I once again appeal, as I did last year, that this road be urgently rehabilitated, reconstructed, and fixed.
“The road should be treated as a top priority, considering that ABUAD hosts students from all 36 states of the federation, and has international students too. The said route is a major link road to the airport, Ondo State and the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria’s seat of power.
“I humbly appeal to the government across all levels to address these pressing issues with utmost seriousness and speed. Such intervention will not only save lives and restore safety but will also enhance security and the socio-economic activities in the region.”
While congratulating the Ekiti State Government on the approval granted by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport to commence commercial flight operations effective October 4, 2025, the VC appealed to the government to expedite action on the facility to enable full-scale operations.
“Now that the airport has finally received this much-awaited NCAA approval, we urge the government to expedite all necessary processes to ensure that full commercial operations commence without delay.
“This will enable the airport to fulfil its intended purpose as a catalyst for economic growth, investment and sustainable development of Ekiti State.”
