Prominent lawyer and founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, has issued a strong call to action for the National Universities Commission (NUC), urging the regulatory body to shut down illegal private universities operating across Nigeria and arrest their proprietors.
A Call for Stringent Action Against Substandard Education
Speaking yesterday while receiving the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) Accreditation Team at his university, Babalola revealed that there is a long list of such unlawful institutions in the country. He expressed deep concern over the proliferation of these substandard universities, stating that Nigeria deserves the best and should not tolerate educational institutions that fail to meet required standards.
Babalola recalled that the NUC previously maintained rigorous approval processes, which included physical inspections of permanent sites, assessment of buildings, and verification of the number and quality of teaching staff before granting licenses. He lamented that this seems to have changed, leading to the current situation.
"There is a long list of illegal private universities in Nigeria today," Babalola declared. "I would like the NUC to seriously consider closing such illegal universities down and arresting their owners."
The Pillars of a True University and ABUAD's N300 Billion Valuation
Emphasizing the critical role of education, Babalola stated that quality and functional education is what defines both an individual and a nation. He explained that a well-educated person is one who thinks about their neighbours and society, striving to make life better for all. He highlighted that this philosophy is central to ABUAD's mission, which is executed through its youth empowerment programmes, various community outreaches, and the renowned ABUAD Multi-System Hospital.
In a significant revelation about the institution's growth, Babalola announced that ABUAD is currently valued at over N300 billion. He invited guests to tour the campus and see the facilities for themselves, including the hospital, the farm, the industrial park, and the serene academic environment.
Aligning his institution's goals with global standards, Babalola cited the World Bank's three core objectives of a proper university: quality teaching, quality research, and community service. He proudly stated that ABUAD excels in all three areas. He specifically urged visitors to inspect the university's Industrial Research Park to see its products, showcasing the institution's commitment to practical innovation.
ABUAD's Commitment to Medical Excellence and Societal Health
Echoing the founder's sentiments, the Vice-Chancellor of ABUAD, Professor Smaranda Olarinde, detailed the university's approach to medical education during her welcome address. She stated that the structure of the ABUAD MBBS Programme is built on a philosophy that medical education must directly address the real health needs of society.
"Guided by a competency-based and community-oriented curriculum, the six-year programme develops doctors who are scientifically grounded, ethically responsible, team-oriented, and committed to lifelong learning," Olarinde said.
She emphasized that admission into the programme is deliberately stringent, and student progress is regulated through rigorous professional examinations. This ensures that only those who meet the highest standards are allowed to continue, reflecting the university's unwavering commitment to quality and patient safety.
To provide world-class clinical training, ABUAD established strong partnerships with the Federal Teaching Hospital in Ido-Ekiti and constructed its own 400-bed Multi-System Teaching Hospital, described as one of the best-equipped centres in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.
These hospitals are equipped with advanced diagnostic, surgical, and critical care facilities, offering services such as cardiac interventions, kidney transplantation, dialysis, and high-resolution imaging, all supported by a modern ICT-driven system. They serve as dynamic teaching environments where students gain hands-on experience in supervised, compassionate, and evidence-based patient care.
Concluding his remarks, Babalola made a final appeal to the NUC and the Ministry of Education, calling on them to revisit the type and quality of universities being approved to safeguard the future of education in Nigeria.
