Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) Vice-Chancellor Prof. Smaranda Olarinde has stated that adopting unconventional methods is necessary to reform Nigeria’s educational system.
The founder, Aare Afe Babalola, approved a new minimum wage of 77,000 naira for the private university’s academic and non-teaching workers. According to Olarinde, the legal icon’s assistance in encouraging and boosting university employees’ productivity in spite of financial difficulties included promotions and pay increases.
It is not possible to achieve quality and real change in the industry by using the traditional route, she continued.
At an event commemorating the 15th anniversary of the university’s start of academic operations, the law professor gave a speech in Ado Ekiti. She recounted that on Monday, January 4, 2010, ABUAD’s three pioneering colleges—the College of Law, the College of Social & Management Sciences, and the College of Sciences—opened for classes with 240 students.
In the final 15 years of its existence, the institution has chosen unique ways that have helped it “stand out as a dazzling star among the galaxy of stars,” according to the ABUAD VC.
She claims, “We have achieved this outstanding degree of national and international recognition over the years due to the outstanding caliber of graduates we produce.” The key to this achievement is offering training and education that has an impact beyond obtaining degrees, emphasizing character development, integrity, and hard work equally.
Take into account the vastness of this university, including its departments, colleges, directorates, residential complexes, academic programs for undergraduates and graduate students, open distance learning, and part-time studies. Thousands of graduates have been produced, and their influence is felt everywhere they go.
Consider ABUAD FM 88.1, the Talent Discovery Center, our Industrial Power Plant, Industrial Park, Planetarium, Bio-diversified Farms, Founders Annual Agricultural Grants, the ABUAD Multisystem Hospital and its transformative contributions to healthcare, including the restoration of countless patients to a productive and healthy life, the soon-to-be completed Olympic-standard swimming pool, and countless other achievements.
According to her, the founder, Aare Afe Babalola,’s unwavering dedication and amazing vision made all of this possible.
“It is noteworthy that in September 2023, following significant economic shifts due to subsidy removal and currency unification, the Founder approved a 35% salary increase for all staff across all University divisions,” Prof. Olarinde said in reference to the approved staff salary increase and welfare.
Additionally, the Founder decided to raise the minimum compensation of ABUAD employees to N77,000.00 in November 2024 after the Federal Government set a minimum wage of N70,000.00. They did this by adding an extra 10%.
The founder made sure that the annual leave bonus for 2024 was paid out and that every employee had access to the annual Christmas gift to sum it up