By: Tunde Olofintila
The Founder & Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, ABUAD, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, CON, SAN must be celebrating with a sense of inner fulfilment now.
Here is a man who would always tell whoever cares to listen that he established his university which commenced unbroken Academic activities on Monday, January 4, 2010, to teach Nigerians how a University properly-so-called should be run.
He would not forget to add that he is out to institutionalize quality and functional education and raise a new generation of leaders who would influence the society for the better.
What happened in the university on Thursday, February 26, 2026, has given further verve to the African wise saying, to wit: “If a child does not resemble his parents morphologically, he/she must resemble them behaviourally”.
As early as 10.00 a.m. on that day, some representatives of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences Students Association, COMHSSA, to present a letter which catalogued how the students have contributed among themselves to offset the medical bills of some needy patients in the University’s 400-bed Multi-System Hospital, thereby confirming Babalola’s position that one does not have to be a millionaire or a billionaire before he/she can reach out to others.
Through their most altruistic gesture, the medical students have demonstrated beyond any reasonable doubt that even though they may not resemble their Founder & Chancellor morphologically as they are not blood-related, they have imbibed the attribute of giving and making people happy from him. Afterall, Babalola is fond of saying that “…
Full happiness is only achieved when one makes others happy”.
In a rare display of compassion, students of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences through their “Love in Action Outreach” raised a total of ₦1,182,270 (One Million, One Hundred and Eighty-Two Thousand, Two Hundred and Seventy Naira) to offset the outstanding bills of five patients (names withheld) in Male Surgical Ward, Pediatrics Ward and Renal Ward as well as two outpatients undergoing dialysis.
To demonstrate their transparency, the students ensured that no liquid cash was collected while all funds were received solely through the COMHSSA account.
Commenting on the gesture, the elated Executive President of COMHSSA, Mr. Jabir Ayodeji Sulaiman, said the support significantly reduced the financial burden on the beneficiaries and their families, thereby providing both relief and renewed hope.
Speaking during a brief interface with the Founder & Chancellor of the university, Sulaiman appreciated him for what he described as his (Babalola’s) “continued encouragement and the enabling environment provided by the University leadership, which made this humanitarian initiative possible”.
He added: “Your steadfast support for student-led service initiatives continues to inspire meaningful impact within and beyond the University community”.
The innermost feelings of the students were conveyed in a beautifully crafted portrait signed by Sulaiman and Praise EriOluwa Sokunbi, President of Global Health Outreach Club, wherein they said, inter alia: “With our deepest respect and heartfelt admiration, we celebrate our father, founder, and inspiration, Aare Afe Babalola. A man whose vision, wisdom, and unwavering commitment continue to transform lives.
“Your passion for excellence has built the prestigious Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) into a world-class institution and also expanded the-one-of-its-kind ABUAD Multi-System Hospital, into a place where healthcare, innovation and hope converge.
“Under the umbrella of your leadership, the hospital has become a sanctuary of healing, equipped with competitive and excellent diagnostic and surgical facilities, modern wards, and emergency care units. It is guided by highly skilled and compassionate professionals, from doctors, nurses to support staff with every one of them committed to providing patient-centered care.
“Witnessing your excellence in the ABUAD Multi System Hospital inspires us (your students) to strive higher, pursue our goals relentlessly and embrace service with the same dedication and integrity. Your commitment to quality and humanity shows us what it means to lead by example.
“Your guidance, mentorship and example have shaped not only our education but also our hearts. Your teachings and influence motivate us to contribute boldly to society, to uplift others and to carry forward a legacy of compassion and excellence.
“The Love in Action Outreach, organized by the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, stands as a testament to your influence. Through the generosity of students, parents and the community, patients who could not afford treatment were assisted, thereby easing their burdens and spreading hope.
This initiative reflects the values you have instilled in us: empathy, service, and meaningful impact.
“From all of us in the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, we express our profound gratitude and honour you for your vision, your sacrifice, and the extraordinary life you continue to lead. Your influence will forever guide our steps as we strive to serve, heal, and inspire, just as you have taught us”.
Responding, Babalola was grateful to God, the Regulatory Bodies such as the NUC, Council for Legal Education, Ministry of Education, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Medical & Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), ICAN, CPN, PCN, and NMCN, the parents, the staff and the students themselves that his hope, dream and vision of setting up a university that would be different from the extant ones have been realized before his very eyes.
He thanked the Medical Students for keying into his virtues with a promise to continue to do what he has been doing to ensure society is better than everyone has met it.
With the June 18, 2025 rating of the University among the Best 100 Universities in the world and No. 1 in Nigeria for four consecutive years: 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 by Times Higher Education Impact Rankings in faraway Turkey, the stream of national and international laurels and the latest demonstration of empathy, sympathy and selflessness by ABUAD Medical students, Babalola has not only become a fulfilled man, his university, ABUAD, has become a mission accomplished.