By: Tunde Olofintila
Elder Statesman and Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, Fellow, King’s College, London, has identified Nigeria’s declining educational standards as a key driver of the nation’s escalating crime rates.
The revered legal luminary and Educationist made the declaration during a recent courtesy visit by a delegation from Ekiti State University (EKSU), led by its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Babatola Ayodele.
According to the former Pro Chancellor & Chairman of Council of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, “Half education is more dangerous than no education. Many of those engaged in criminal activities today are products of a failing educational system. We must urgently rewrite Nigeria’s educational narrative to foster national development and security.”
Babalola challenged policymakers, institutions, and stakeholders to prioritize research grants, innovation, and academic excellence as critical tools for national progress. His remarks underscored the urgent need for systemic reforms to curb crime through quality education and youth empowerment.
In her welcome address, ABUAD Vice Chancellor, Prof. E. Smaranda Olarinde, FCArb, FCAI, lauded Babalola’s visionary leadership, crediting him for establishing ABUAD as a trailblazer in Agriculture, Pharmaceuticals and quality Healthcare Education and Delivery.
She spotlighted the peerless and paperless ABUAD Multi-System Hospital which leading Healthcare Stakeholders have endorsed as the “most well-equipped Hospital in Sub-Saharan Africa” as the nation’s antidote to outward medical tourism.
“Our hospital recently achieved a medical milestone by successfully delivering twins for a 60-year-old woman. I visited and saw for myself the joy on the faces of members of the family. Our Founder’s commitment to world-class healthcare is yielding the desired result.” Prof. Olarinde added.
Taking cognisance of the under-representation of women in the visiting EKSU delegation, the Vice Chancellor advocated for greater gender balance in leadership just like in ABUAD where the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar and the Librarian are ladies among several leaders in the 15-year-old wave-making university.
Responding, the visiting VC praised Babalola as “an unrepentant philanthropist and proud alumnus who constantly adds value to society.” He expressed admiration for ABUAD’s state-of-the-art infrastructure and called for deeper collaboration between the two institutions in Agriculture, Research and Student Exchange Programs.
“We have much to learn from ABUAD Farm. With 14 hectares of tomato farms at EKSU ready for harvest, we recognize the need to deepen expertise in agriculture, a vital sector for Nigeria’s future”, Ayodele remarked.
Lady Christie Oluborode, ABUAD’s Registrar, who delivered the vote of thanks, acknowledging Prof. Ayodele as the first EKSU Vice-Chancellor to lead a delegation to ABUAD in 42 years.
The visit reinforced ABUAD’s reputation as a model of academic innovation and social responsibility, reflecting Aare Babalola’s lifelong mission to transform education as the foundation of a prosperous Nigeria.
Olofintila is ABUAD’s Director, Corporate Affairs