Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, ABUAD, ranked by Times Higher Education Impact Rankings Number 1 University in Nigeria for two consecutive years (2022 & 2023) and Number 221 in the world in 2023, has again made headlines in the world of academia, garnering multiplicity of prestigious awards and accolades that solidify its position as a beacon of excellence in higher education globally.
The latest feather on its already crowded cap of Awards and accolades is the recognition by the Africa Academia Awards as the “Best Private University in Aeronautic & Astronautic Engineering.”
This continental achievement is a further testament to the university’s unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit among its students.
In what amounts to a double celebration, the Vice Chancellor of the 13-year-old university, Professor Smaranda Olarinde has also been honored with the Award of the “Most Outstanding Research Academician in Women, Reproductive, and Child Rights”.
This acknowledgment highlights ABUAD’s dedication to research that focuses on critical societal issues, particularly in the realm of women’s rights and child welfare.
It is a notorious fact that these latest accolades are not new to ABUAD. Rather, they further confirm its latest ranking as the Number 1 University in Nigeria by Times Higher Education, a prestigious global education ranking organization.
This recognition underscores ABUAD’s dedication to academic excellence and its commitment to providing top-tier education to its students.
What makes the Africa Academia Awards recognition the more significant is the fact that the National Universities Commission, NUC, the Regulatory Authority for University Education in Nigeria, had earlier acknowledged ABUAD as “a model, benchmark and reference point” as well as “the pride of University system in Nigeria”, while the Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU) as “the most successful private university in Nigeria”. On its part, UNESCO also acknowledged it as “a world-class institution of Higher Education”.
This acknowledgment from a national regulatory body speaks volumes about ABUAD’s impact on the Nigerian higher education landscape.
ABUAD’s achievements are not limited to the shores of Nigeria only: they are trans-continental. For example, the university has expanded its influence globally by establishing the Afe Babalola Centre for Transnational Education in King’s College, London to provide quality education for the under-privileged, particularly as education is the surest panacea to ignorance, poverty, extremism, religious bigotry and tribalism among other vices.
This international endeavor reflects ABUAD’s commitment to fostering global partnerships and providing its students with a truly global education.
Considering these achievements, ABUAD has experienced an unprecedented decade of growth and excellence. As King’s College stated, ABUAD has achieved what some institutions could not accomplish in one decade in a century.
The Africa Academia Awards are a resounding endorsement of ABUAD’s dedication to Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Research, making it a shining example for universities across Africa.
Afe Babalola University’s recent recognition as the “Best Private University in Entrepreneurship and Innovation” and the honor bestowed upon its Vice Chancellor combine to underscore the institution’s commitment to academic excellence, research, and societal impact.
With a history of accolades and a global outlook, ABUAD stands as a beacon of hope for the future of higher education in Africa and beyond.