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| Aare Afe Babalola (middle) and other dignitaries at the President’s Dinner and Award Night during the 8th Annual International Law Conference held at ABUAD |
In a momentous celebration of service, impact, and excellence, legal luminary and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), has been honoured with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Law Association (ILA), Nigerian Branch.
The recognition was the highlight of the President’s Dinner and Award Night held during the 8th Annual International Law Conference at ABUAD.
The star-studded event brought together a host of international law experts, diplomats, government officials, academics, and emerging legal talents, all gathered to celebrate Babalola’s enduring contributions to law, education, and nation-building.
The evening featured a keynote conversation with Babalola himself, providing insight into his extraordinary journey and vision for Africa’s future.
Moderated by Dr Adenike Akinsemolu, Chair of the Conference Planning Committee, the keynote session traced Babalola’s transformation from humble beginnings into a titan of law and a pioneer of educational reform in Nigeria.
The 94-year-old Senior Advocate of Nigeria shared reflections on his legal career, his motivation to establish ABUAD, and his steadfast commitment to human development through quality education.
“My journey has always been driven by the desire to transform lives,” Babalola stated during the session.
“ABUAD was created to redefine education in Nigeria, to set a new standard—one rooted in excellence, innovation, and integrity,” the SAN added.
He emphasized the critical role of entrepreneurial education, especially in agriculture, in advancing the continent’s economic prosperity.
“We cannot achieve sustainable development without food security. “Africa has the potential to become the food basket of the world. With the right education and investment, we can unlock that potential,” he said.
Twice named African Man of the Year in Food Security (2014 and 2024), Babalola underscored how agricultural development and education are key to increasing intra-African trade, enhancing foreign exchange earnings, and attracting foreign direct investment.
The dinner also recognised other rising stars and contributors to international law.
Emmanuel Latona Adedeji received the ILA Emerging Star Award for an Outstanding Young Professional for his scholarly contributions and active role in the ILA’s Young Members’ Committee.
Ayodeji Asala, President of the ABUAD chapter of the ILA, was presented with the ILA Service Award for his leadership and commitment.
Presenting the awards, ILA Nigeria President, Professor Damilola Olawuyi, SAN, praised Babalola as an embodiment of the values the association seeks to uphold.
Olawuyi, who also serves as an independent expert on the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights, described the Lifetime Achievement Award as the ILA’s highest honour.
“Recipients of this prestigious award represent Nigeria’s finest in education, foreign policy, and diplomacy. Aare Afe Babalola’s legacy in education, law, and food security is nothing short of inspirational.
“He exemplifies what we strive for as international lawyers—to educate, to empower, and to give back,” Olawuyi posited.
The dinner ceremony saw an impressive turnout of dignitaries, including the Honourable Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment of Gambia, Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof; the Gambian Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Muhamadou Musa Njie; Director of Trade at the ECOWAS Commission, Mr Kolawole Sofola; President of the Africa Agenda Network, Ambassador Saul Frazer; Gambia National Chair of the African Union Women Network, Muna Jallow; Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice of Ogun State, Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN); and several top legal professionals including Mark Mordi (SAN), and Chief Kayode Aderemi.
Also present was the Vice Chancellor of ABUAD, Professor Elisabeta Smaranda Olarinde, who praised Babalola’s enduring commitment to academic excellence and global engagement.
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