Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), celebrated its 12th convocation ceremony on Monday, graduating 1,662 students, including 1,485 first-degree holders and 177 postgraduate students. The institution also awarded honorary doctorates to three prominent Nigerians: Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; legal practitioner Damian Dodo (SAN); and Pastor Tunde Bakare, Serving Overseer of Citadel Global Community Church.
Addressing Economic Pressures on Nigerian Institutions
During her address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, expressed concern over the financial struggles faced by Nigerian tertiary institutions due to the nation’s economic downturn. She highlighted the negative impact of naira devaluation and rising living costs, which have made it challenging for families to afford education and for institutions to maintain their operations.
Olarinde stressed that while ABUAD remains committed to delivering high-quality education, the federal government needs to enact reforms that stabilize the economy. She explained, “The exchange rate has plummeted, causing a sharp rise in living costs, which burdens students, families, and educational institutions alike.”
Call for Equal Access to Educational Resources
In her speech, Prof. Olarinde also criticized the exclusion of private universities from federal support schemes like the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the student loan program. She argued that this creates an unequal educational landscape, depriving private universities of essential funding and their students of financial assistance from the government.
“The exclusion of private universities from TETFund and student loans creates unequal access to education, and we urge the government to address this disparity,” Olarinde remarked.
Infrastructure and Road Concerns
Another key issue raised by the vice-chancellor was the poor state of federal roads leading to ABUAD. She specifically mentioned the Ado-Ijan Road, calling on the federal government to address infrastructural deficits in Ekiti State, which she said affect both students and staff.
Congratulating the Graduates
Despite these challenges, Olarinde congratulated the graduating students and urged them to be innovative problem-solvers, stating, “The world looks up to you as graduates of this globally ranked university to provide entrepreneurial solutions to today’s complex problems.”
Aare Afe Babalola’s Message of Excellence
Aare Afe Babalola, the university’s founder, also congratulated the graduates, advising them to be exemplary ambassadors of the institution and always strive for excellence in their future endeavors.
Recognition of Honorary Doctorate Recipients
Speaking on behalf of the honorary awardees, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) expressed his gratitude for the recognition, praising ABUAD for its contribution to developing future leaders. Fagbemi lauded ABUAD’s global reputation, stating, “We are honored to be recognized by an institution that competes with the best in the world.”
Governor Aiyedatiwa’s Praise for ABUAD
In a goodwill message, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, commended ABUAD for its role in human capital development, noting that the institution has made significant contributions to education in Nigeria. He praised the founder, Aare Afe Babalola, for his dedication to building a world-class educational institution that continues to positively impact society.
A Milestone Achievement for ABUAD
This convocation marks a significant milestone for ABUAD, as it continues to provide transformative education and navigate the challenges posed by Nigeria’s economic landscape. The institution remains committed to its vision of delivering world-class education and driving innovative solutions to societal issues.
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