The Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), made headlines on Monday as it turned out 1,662 graduates during its grand 12th convocation ceremony. Among the graduates were 1,485 first-degree recipients and 177 postgraduate awardees. But the ceremony was more than just academic achievements—it became a platform for critiques of the government and bold appeals for reform.
The event was graced by high-profile honorees, including the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; renowned legal practitioner, Damian Dodo; and the Serving Overseer of Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, who all bagged honorary doctorates.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, didn't hold back in her speech. She lambasted the government for the crippling economic situation, noting how the falling naira and rising inflation had squeezed both students and institutions.
“The exchange rate has plummeted, and the economic downturn has driven up the cost of living. Families struggle to afford education, and institutions are finding it hard to sustain operations. ABUAD continues to provide quality education, but the Federal Government must act swiftly to stabilize the currency,” Olarinde warned.
She also took a swipe at the exclusion of private universities from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the new student loan scheme, calling it a discriminatory policy that creates “unequal access to education.”
In a sharp critique of poor infrastructure, Olarinde condemned the deplorable state of the Ado-Ijan Road, which connects the university to the rest of the state. “The road is a nightmare for students and staff. We are calling on the Federal Government to address this infrastructural deficit and repair federal roads in Ekiti State immediately,” she appealed.
Founder of the university, legal icon Aare Afe Babalola, urged the new graduates to strive for excellence and be worthy ambassadors of the institution, which is regarded as one of the nation’s leading private universities.
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, heaped praise on ABUAD’s contributions to human capital development in Nigeria. “In just 15 years, this institution has transformed the face of education in the country. I commend Aare Afe Babalola for his visionary investment and thank God he is alive and well to witness this great day,” Aiyedatiwa said.
Olarinde urged the graduates to be at the forefront of solving global challenges with innovative and entrepreneurial solutions. “As graduates of this globally-ranked institution, the world looks to you to make a difference,” she said.
