Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu, NMA First Vice-President
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has commended Aare Afe Babalola, Founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), for his extensive contributions to healthcare and medical education in Nigeria.
NMA First Vice-President, Dr Benjamin Olowojebutu, gave the commendation during a courtesy visit with an eight-member delegation to ABUAD.
He described the 400-bed ABUAD Multi-System Hospital, the Industrial Park, the Independent Power Plant and the Enterprise Farms as exceptional achievements by a private individual.
He highlighted the hospital’s advanced facilities, including two MRI machines, a dialysis centre with affordable charges and an in-house oxygen plant, as evidence of ABUAD’s commitment to world-class medical services.
Olowojebutu noted that Babalola’s decision to situate such massive development in Ado-Ekiti, despite having no political background, had elevated the state’s global profile.
In his response, Babalola thanked the NMA for the recognition and reflected on Nigeria’s declining standards compared to the early post-independence era. He said ABUAD was driven by his resolve to entrench quality and functional education, despite ending formal schooling at Standard VI.
He added that ABUAD’s placement among the world’s top 100 in the 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings validated the University’s mission. He urged wealthy Nigerians to invest in education and healthcare, noting that even modest efforts can transform lives.
