On Friday, 15 August 2025, the Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Professor Babatola Ayodele, led his management team on a courtesy visit to Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), the visionary founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD). The meeting, held at ABUAD’s expansive campus in Ado-Ekiti, symbolised more than a mere formal call—it was a moment of respect, strategic engagement, and renewed hope for stronger collaboration in higher education across Ekiti State.
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Warm Reception and Exchange of Respect
The EKSU delegation was welcomed warmly by Aare Afe Babalola, whose impact on Nigeria’s educational landscape spans decades. For many in the entourage, being in the presence of a man who transformed his legal success into a legacy of educational philanthropy felt historic.
During the opening exchange, Aare Babalola commended Professor Ayodele’s leadership and encouraged EKSU to continue on its path of reform and innovation. He expressed his admiration for the resilience of the university and its staff, while reiterating his desire to see EKSU regain its position among Nigeria’s leading institutions.
Professor Ayodele responded with heartfelt gratitude, describing Aare Babalola as a living symbol of vision and service. He praised the establishment of ABUAD as a model of what dedication and foresight could achieve, noting that the university had set a new benchmark for quality and innovation.
The atmosphere was marked by mutual respect—an elder statesman and an academic leader finding common ground in their shared love for education and their state.
Dialogue on Collaboration and Shared Goals
Professor Ayodele used the meeting to open discussions on possible collaborations between EKSU and ABUAD. He highlighted areas such as resource sharing, mentorship programmes, staff training, and joint research projects. According to him, partnerships between the two institutions would not only benefit students but also create a more vibrant intellectual ecosystem in Ekiti State.
He further noted that his administration at EKSU was anchored on three pillars: excellence, transparency, and innovation. These values, he explained, were aligned with ABUAD’s vision of combining modern learning with ethical grounding.
In his response, Aare Babalola pledged his continuous support for EKSU, pointing out that the university occupies a unique place in Ekiti’s educational story. He reminded the visiting team of his long-standing affection for the institution, which he had supported in various ways since its early days as the University of Ado Ekiti.
Aare Babalola also touched on broader themes—urging universities to look beyond certificates and focus on producing graduates who are globally competitive, self-reliant, and solutions-driven. He encouraged EKSU to strengthen its entrepreneurial education and medical programmes, promising to assist where possible.
Tour of ABUAD’s World-Class Facilities
The courtesy visit also featured a tour of ABUAD’s impressive infrastructure, which left a lasting impression on the EKSU team. The delegation was shown lecture halls, laboratories, innovation hubs, and most notably, the ABUAD Multisystem Hospital.
For Professor Ayodele, the hospital stood out as both a training ground for medical students and a provider of healthcare for the wider society. He described it as a “monumental example of how education can merge seamlessly with service.”
The EKSU team expressed admiration for the university’s ability to combine cutting-edge technology with serene learning spaces. To many, the tour underscored how private vision and investment could achieve what government institutions often struggle with—sustainable infrastructure, effective governance, and a clear brand identity.
This experience, Professor Ayodele said, would motivate EKSU to expand its own facilities and prioritise innovation in its development plans.
A New Pathway for Ekiti’s Higher Education
The visit, beyond its ceremonial significance, signalled the beginning of deeper cooperation between EKSU and ABUAD. Both leaders agreed that the challenges confronting higher education—funding shortages, brain drain, and outdated curricula—require joint solutions rather than isolated efforts.
By building bridges between public and private institutions, they argued, Ekiti State could create a stronger educational system capable of attracting global partnerships and producing graduates with 21st-century skills.
Observers at the meeting described the event as an encounter between vision and stewardship. While Aare Babalola embodies the pioneering spirit of private university development, Professor Ayodele represents the renewed drive to reposition public universities. Together, they project a hopeful future where both worlds reinforce each other.
As the visit concluded, Aare Babalola reassured the EKSU team of his readiness to offer mentorship and assistance. Professor Ayodele, in turn, pledged that EKSU would continue to uphold values that would make the state proud.
For many, the day ended with a sense that something more enduring had been set in motion—a promise that the future of education in Ekiti would be written not in competition, but in collaboration.
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