A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN and global vice chair of the International Law Association, Professor Damilola Sunday Olawuyi, has commended the Founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, ABUAD, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN and the entire academic and non-academic staff of the institution on its recent global recognition.
In the latest Times Higher Education Impact Rankings (2025), ABUAD achieved a historic milestone by emerging as the 84th best university in the world, 3rd in Africa and maintaining its position as 1st in Nigeria for the fourth consecutive year, 2022 through 2025.
Olawuyi, a frontline professor of international law, who is also deputy vice chancellor (research, innovation and strategic partnerships) at ABUAD made these remarks while speaking in Morocco at the sidelines of the Arab-Africa Forum on Business and Human Rights, held in Marakech.
Afe Babalola, bold reformist
While discussing the role of higher education in promoting innovation and sustainable development in Africa, Olawuyi noted that universities have strong roles to play in promoting an innovation economy that advances regional trade and investment in a manner that respects human rights.
According to him, Africa needs globally-minded universities that unlock entreprenuerial innovation through courses, research, executive education and enterprise development that provide practical solutions to the challenges facing the continent.
Noting that unfortunately only few universities in the continent are so minded, Olawuyi commended Aare Afe Babalola as a bold reformist, an icon and continental treasure that has shown us what is possible.
According to him “Nigeria’s Afe Babalola has shown us what is possible in this regard.
Having on his own decided to leave his lucrative law practice, Babalola went back to his hometown in Ado Ekiti to invest his time and energy on developing a modern, word class university that can compete globally.
Today, his university is ranked as the 84th best university in the world. We need at least one Afe Babalola in each of the fifty four countries in Africa.
“Having 54 Afe Babalolas in the continent will change the world. The reality however is that there is only one Afe Babalola and he is proudly in Nigeria.
“He is indeed a national treasure that deserves every commendation and honour”, he said.
While reiterating the need for the African governments, investors and the global community to collaborate with and support forward-thinking institutions like ABUAD, Olawuyi noted that with more support, ABUAD will indeed take education to higher and unimaginable heights, and will in no time produce noble laurates that will unlock technlogical and economic prosperity for our nation and continent.
He also called for cross learning amongst African universities, calling on universities in Morocco and across the continent to learn from ABUAD’s success story.
While discussing the role of higher education in promoting innovation and sustainable development in Africa, Olawuyi noted that universities have strong roles to play in promoting an innovation economy that advances regional trade and investment in a manner that respects human rights.
According to him, Africa needs globally-minded universities that unlock entreprenuerial innovation through courses, research, executive education and enterprise development that provide practical solutions to the challenges facing the continent.
Noting that unfortunately only few universities in the continent are so minded, Olawuyi commended Aare Afe Babalola as a bold reformist, an icon and continental treasure that has shown us what is possible.
According to him “Nigeria’s Afe Babalola has shown us what is possible in this regard.
Having on his own decided to leave his lucrative law practice, Babalola went back to his hometown in Ado-Ekiti to invest his time and energy on developing a modern, word class university that can compete globally.
Today, his university is ranked as the 84th best university in the world. We need at least one Afe Babalola in each of the 54 countries in Africa.
“Having 54 Afe Babalolas in the continent will change the world. The reality however is that there is only one Afe Babalola and he is proudly in Nigeria.
“He is indeed a national treasure that deserves every commendation and honour”, he said.
While reiterating the need for the African governments, investors and the global community to collaborate with and support forward-thinking institutions like ABUAD, Olawuyi noted that with more support, ABUAD will indeed take education to higher and unimaginable heights, and will in no time produce noble laurates that will unlock technlogical and economic prosperity for our nation and continent.
He also called for cross learning amongst African universities, calling on universities in Morocco and across the continent to learn from ABUAD’s success story.