Determined to ensure that many more Nigerians benefit from the quality reformatory and functional education it is known for, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), has embarked on a sensitization drive to get more Nigerian students into the four-year old university which has variously been described as a model, benchmark and reference point, the most dynamic, progressive and fastest growing university in Africa.
The sensitization team led by the Registrar, Lady Christie Oluborode, went round the country, including the Federal Capital Territory, spreading the good news of the various carrots that are available in the foremest private university in the country.
Some of the things that stand the four-year old university which graduated its first set of students on October 21, 2013 and acknowledged by both national and international opinion leaders and moulders include:
100% Accreditation
The NUC granted 100% accreditation for the 14 programmes started on January 4, 2010.
The Computer Professionals (Registration Council) of Nigeria (CPN) and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) have accredited our Computer and Engineering programmes respectively.
UNIQUENESS
· The first private university in Nigeria to take off on its permanent site with all human and material resources on ground.
· Internship opportunities for students in United States, England, China and Germany
· United States Full-bright scholarship programme approved for ABUAD by United States Embassy based on the quality of the facilities in the University
· Students graduate with additional professional certifications in Accounting, ICT, Languages, French or Chinese Certificate.
· Centre for FESTO Automation in Germany for training professionals and students in Engineering.
· Annual Scholarship and Merit Awards totalling 7.5 million naira in 2011, 17.5million naira in 2012 and 28.5million naira in 2013
· Special mechanized laboratory by CES Industries of America and opportunities for overseas training and employment.
· Special Mechatronics laboratory by FESTO Automation of Germany.
· International linkages with highly ranked world (class) universities.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
· Ranked in February 2013 as No. 2 best private university in Nigeria and No. 16 of all Nigeria universities by world universities webometric ranking in just three years of existence.
· “A reference point, model and benchmark for private universities”: NUC, 2009
· “The university law college is certainly the best in West Africa”: Julius Okojie, Executive Secretary of NUC
· “The most progressive, dynamic and fastest growing private university in Africa”: All African Students' Union
· “Europe in Africa” by All African Students' Union
· “It is a model to emulate”: Former Nigeria President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR
· “Notably one of the most outstanding individual contributions towards government educational project”: President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR
· “The setting is superlative and impressive with nothing of its kind that I have seen so far in this country or anywhere”: General Yakubu Gowon
· “Pace-setter and leader in reformatory education”: ICPC in 2012
· “This university is an eye-opener that should be replicated and copied as a model for other universities by NUC. Engineer Muyiwa Adedeji.
· “This is an institution which can stand side by side with any educational institution in the world. This is a pace setter. It raises the benchmark for quality education in Nigeria”…. “There is no doubt that the shaping of the direction of education in Nigeria has started. ABUAD is and will remain the leader in this direction”: The ICPC boss, Hon. Justice Yinka Ayoola leading a 14-man team of ICPC Officers to ABUAD on 28th July 2010.
· “This University is simply a model and should be a veritable benchmark for Universities in Nigeria”: Prof. Chinedu O. Nebo, OON, (former Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti now Federal Minister for Energy).
· “Chief Afe Babalola has established a landmark through ABUAD on how Public and Private Universities should be planned, built and run: Prof. M. F. Useh, (Dept of Medical Lab. Science, UNICAL, Calabar).
· “The fastest growing university in Nigeria.
· Compares with great universities, such as Harvard, Yale and Oxford. Afe Babalola deserves the highest honour of this country”: The Late Hon. Justice Kayode Eso, JSC (rtd).
· “Afe Babalola University has set a standard for other institutions”: Dr. Tahir Mamma, Director General, Nigerian Law School.
· It is an outstanding university without comparison”: Prof. Wil Goodheer, President, European Business Assembly and President, Rectors of Europe.
AWARDS
· 2011 Socrates Award for “Best Enterprise in Africa” by EBA based in Oxford.
· “Safest Campus of the year”, 2011 Association of Heads of Security of Tertiary Institution (AHSOTI)
· “The most progressive, dynamic and fastest growing academic institution in Nigeria” Merit Award by National Association of Nigerian Students, 2011
· “Centre of Sporting Excellence in Nigeria Award”, 2011 National Universities Sports League.
· “Best Private University in Nigeria Award” National Association of Nigerian Law Students, 2012
· Best Female Engineering Student for ABUAD student By Association of Professional Women Engineering of Nigeria
· Second overall best student from ABUAD by ICAN (Accounting Technician Scheme, West Africa (ATSWA)
· “Best Brain Award by Nigerian Trust Award 2012.
· ABUAD is a Centre for United States’ National instruments in Academy in Engineering.
· ABUAD is an accredited centre for all Computer Certifications in ICT
· “Best University Law Faculty – African Governance and Corporate Leadership Award by Institute of Government Research and Leadership Technology,2012