The Acting Vice Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Prof. Olasupo Ijabadeniyi, has referred to the latest global ranking of the institution as a motivation to work even harder.

Ijabadeniyi conveyed his enthusiasm regarding the university’s inclusion in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, which ranked ABUAD 84th among universities globally on Wednesday.

During a press conference held in Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State, on Saturday, the acting VC stated, “Since the announcement of the new ranking, we have begun preparation to maintain this achievement. We will continue to push forward.”

He credited this success to the “resilience, effort, and forward-thinking leadership” of the university’s founder, Aare Afe Babalola; the commitment of the Vice Chancellor and her management team; the dedication of both academic and support staff; and the discipline exhibited by the students.

The university celebrated this accomplishment while urging both the federal and Ekiti State governments to promptly repair the Ado–Ijan Road, which connects to the university, and to complete the cargo airport in the vicinity to enhance accessibility.

Ijabadeniyi remarked, “Improved access to the university will draw attention from both local and international audiences, thereby earning more accolades for the state and the country.”

He recalled a statement made by the founder, Aare Afe Babalola, in 2015: “It is my hope and prayer that this university will be recognized by an international body as one of the top 100 in the world during my lifetime. There is still much work to be done to realize this dream.”

The acting VC continued, “However, today, ten years later, we celebrate the achievement of this 15-year-old university. We are extremely happy, filled with joy and delight.”

He added, “Indeed, our current position would not have been possible without certain unique measures that the university has intentionally implemented — actions that have positioned ABUAD as a prominent institution among its peers, including those with a much longer history.”

Ijabadeniyi enumerated some of these initiatives, such as a thoughtfully designed campus layout that facilitates easy movement between college areas and hostels, modern and well-equipped laboratories and workshops, full accreditation from the National Universities Commission and relevant professional bodies for all 44 programs, mandatory certification in one modern foreign language (either Chinese or French), with scholarship opportunities to study in China, compulsory evening classes from 7–9 p.m., and a strict dress code for students and staff — a practice now being adopted by other universities.

He also mentioned ABUAD’s reliable and uninterrupted power supply from its Independent Power Plant, consistent water supply sourced from the university’s dam, and a dependable, stable academic calendar.

Additional accomplishments include direct PhD admissions opportunities for many graduates, a 50% reduction in tuition fees for Agriculture students, a seed grant of N250000 for each Agriculture graduate to kick-start their own business, a Youth Empowerment Scheme that has trained over 1,000 young individuals and invested N186 million, and a 124-unit Industrial Research Park aimed at bridging the gap between academic education and industry, fostering economic growth, and creating job opportunities for graduates, professionals, and artisans.

He also mentioned the state-of-the-art 400-bed ABUAD Multi-System Hospital as part of the university’s outstanding infrastructure.