Afe Babalola Urges Nigerian Government to Shut Down Substandard Universities

Afe Babalola, a prominent Nigerian lawyer and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), has urged the Nigerian government to take decisive action against substandard universities and study centers across the country.

Jul 18, 2024 - 17:08

Afe Babalola Urges Nigerian Government to Shut Down Substandard Universities

Eminent lawyer and elder statesman, Afe Babalola, SAN, has called on the Federal Government to take decisive action against substandard universities and study centres in Nigeria. He emphasized that the nation's educational system will continue to deteriorate unless these "mushroom institutions" are closed down.

Babalola made this statement in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday while being conferred with the Fellow of King’s College, London, for his transformative contributions to education and society. As the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), he urged the National Universities Commission (NUC) to target universities and centres that fail to meet approved standards.

Describing these institutions as significant threats to quality education, Babalola said, “The biggest menace facing quality education today, especially in Nigeria and across Africa, is the proliferation of mushroom satellite institutions and campuses, including study centers that have long deviated from their original conceptualization and intent.”

He called for the immediate closure of these illegal universities, many of which continue to operate despite being declared illegal by authorities. He questioned why the NUC had not taken stronger actions against the owners and staff of these institutions.

SEE MORE: Afe Babalola Urges Journalists to Expose Government Failures

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, praised Babalola's achievements in various fields, including medicine, law, invention, and sciences. Represented by the newly appointed State’s Head of Service, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, Oyebanji highlighted Babalola's significant impact and humanitarian efforts.

Additionally, Prof. Funmi Olonisakin, Vice President of International Engagement and Service at King’s College, London, recognized Babalola's transformative contributions to society during the fellowship award ceremony.