Founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Afe Babalola (SAN), has said that the biggest menace facing quality education in Nigeria is the proliferation of mushroom, satellite universities and campuses, including study centres. He said that unless the Federal Government takes decisive step towards closing them down, the educational system would continue to witness a downward trend.
The legal icon, who stated this in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday, while being conferred with the fellow of King’s College London for his transformative contributions to education and the society, said the National Universities Commission (NUC) should particularly focus its searchlight on all universities and centres not operating according to approved standards and requirements set by the commission.
Babalola described such institutions as ‘major weapon,’ fashioned against quality and functional education in Nigeria, and the world at large. He 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 centres that have long deviated from their original conceptualisation and intent.
“What we expect is for the National Universities Commission (NUC) to close down mushroom universities as there are many of such institutions that had been pronounced illegal by the authorities, but which are still operating and even commenced operations without the permission of the NUC.”
Earlier, the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, represented by the newly appointed Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi, lauded the accomplishments of the founder in the areas of medicine, law, invention and sciences.
He said that Babalola’s footprints across all sectors had made him the father of the state. He stressed that his uncommon humanity and impact had also ranked him higher against all odds.
On her part, Vice President, International Engagement and Service of King’s College, London, Prof. Funmi Olonisakin, said the fellowship award conferred on Babalola was in recognition of his transformative contributions to the society.
“We are here to award the fellowship of King’s College, London, on Aare Afe Babalola, whose fellowship is typically given to people who have made transformative contributions to the society at large or King’s College, London,” she said.
