The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has commended Aare Afe Babalola, Founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), for his remarkable contributions to healthcare delivery and medical education in Nigeria.

The accolade came on Monday when Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu, the NMA’s first Vice President, led a high-profile delegation to ABUAD on a courtesy visit. Olowojebutu expressed admiration for the scale and impact of Babalola’s investments, which include the 400-bed ABUAD Multi-System Hospital, the Industrial Park, the Independent Power Plant, and the ABUAD Enterprise Farms—achievements he described as exceptional for a private individual.

He highlighted the Multi-System Hospital as one of the most well-equipped facilities in Sub-Saharan Africa. “The presence of two functional MRI machines, a dialysis centre with affordable charges, and an in-house oxygen plant demonstrates the university’s commitment to excellence,” Olowojebutu said.

The NMA chief also praised Babalola for situating these landmark developments in Ekiti State, rather than in larger urban centres, noting that the move has significantly raised the state’s profile on the global stage. “We are proud of what we have seen here today. What Aare Babalola has done is for humanity, and it deserves to be promoted and supported at all levels,” he said.

In response, Babalola expressed gratitude to the NMA leadership and reflected on the decline in national standards compared to the early post-independence era. He said his vision for ABUAD was driven by a desire to institutionalise quality, functional education despite having stopped formal schooling at Standard VI.

He added that the university’s commitment has been recognised internationally, citing its ranking among the world’s top 100 universities in the 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, while maintaining its position as Nigeria’s best university for four consecutive years.

Babalola also encouraged wealthy Nigerians to invest meaningfully in education and healthcare, stressing that even modest contributions could transform lives.