The Vice-Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, has announced that the university will graduate a total of 1,841 students for the 2025/2026 academic session.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the institution’s 13th convocation ceremony scheduled for October 21, 2025, Olarinde revealed that 229 of the graduating students earned first-class degrees. She also disclosed that three distinguished Nigerians will be honoured with honorary doctorate degrees in recognition of their contributions to society.
The awardees include former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN); Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa; and philanthropist and Benin Princess, Rosemary Mku-Atu.
According to the VC, the upcoming convocation will bring the university’s total number of graduates to 15,115 since its first convocation held in 2013.
Olarinde, however, expressed concern over the poor state of the Ado–Ijan–Ikare Akoko Road, a major federal road that serves as the main access route to the university and the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti. She appealed to the Federal Government to urgently rehabilitate the road, describing its current state as deplorable and unsafe.
“As the privileged Vice-Chancellor of this great institution, I’m proud to say that ABUAD continues to bring honour and recognition to Ekiti State and Nigeria. We have been ranked 84th in the world, 3rd in Africa, and 1st in Nigeria for four consecutive years,” she said.
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“However, despite these achievements, the Ado–Ijan–Ikare Federal Road remains in terrible condition. I appeal once again for its urgent reconstruction. This road should be treated as a national priority, especially as ABUAD hosts students from all 36 states and beyond, and it serves as a major link to the airport, Ondo State, and the FCT.”
Olarinde also congratulated the Ekiti State Government on the recent approval by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport to begin commercial operations from October 4, 2025.
She urged the state government to ensure that the airport becomes fully operational soon, noting that it will boost investment, trade, and sustainable development in the state.
“This airport is a key step toward transforming Ekiti’s economy, and we look forward to seeing it fulfil its purpose as a catalyst for progress and growth,” she added.