I Have Achieved My Goal Of Establishing World Class University – Afe Babalola

Founder and chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, has said he had fulfilled his lifelong vision of establishing and nurturing a world-class university in Nigeria.

The legal luminary stated this while addressing news men during the 16th anniversary of the commencement of academic activities at the university, saying ABUAD had recorded remarkable growth, global recognition, and academic excellence over the last 16 years.

According to him, the university, which commenced academic activities on January 4, 2010, with just 240 pioneer students, has grown into a globally competitive institution that has not only surpassed many older universities but has also become a reference point for quality and functional education in Nigeria and beyond.

Babalola pointed out that the university has consistently ranked among the best universities globally, citing its placement in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings among the top 100 universities worldwide and its recognition as the number one university in Nigeria for 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.

The feat, according to him, confirmed that age is no barrier to success, as he had founded the university at the age of about 80.

ABUAD, he said, has emerged as a clear leader in key disciplines such as Law, Medicine, and Engineering, surpassing many older institutions and firmly establishing itself as a global brand in higher education.

Babalola expressed gratitude to God for the divine guidance and sustaining grace that the institution has received since its inception, describing the journey as one marked by faith, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to quality and functional education.

He lauded the management and staff of the institution, under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, for helping to bring his vision to life as a flourishing academic reality that is admired both within and outside Nigeria.

Babalola appealed to both academic and non-academic staff to remain disciplined, committed, and focused, stating that maintaining the university’s high standards should be the collective responsibility of all stakeholders.

In her speech, ABUAD Vice-Chancellor Prof. Smaranda Olarinde stated that the institution’s 16-year journey is a testament to visionary leadership, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

Olarinde added that the university’s steady rise in global and national rankings reflected the clear vision of the founder and the uncompromising dedication of staff and students to academic integrity, research relevance, and innovation.