Daud Olatunji
Babcock University has renewed its commitment to strengthening its academic, research, entrepreneurial and character-building legacy as the institution marked its 67th Founders’ Day anniversary.
The President/Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Afolarin Olutunde Ojewole, made the commitment on Thursday at the institution’s Founders’ Day celebration held at its main campus in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State.
The anniversary, which was marked under the theme, “Founded on Grace, Building for Greatness,” celebrated the institution’s journey from the Adventist College of West Africa, established in 1959 with only seven ministerial students, to a major private university.
Ojewole said the university’s growth over the past 67 years was a testimony to faith, sacrifice, vision and what he described as God’s grace.
According to him, the institution had passed through different stages, including the Adventist College of West Africa and the Adventist Seminary of West Africa, before becoming Babcock University in 1999.
He noted that Babcock, which admitted its first university students in September 1999, now has more than 13,000 full-time students and a growing community of scholars, researchers, professionals, entrepreneurs and servant leaders.
The Vice-Chancellor, however, said the university’s greatest achievement could not be measured merely by its student population, infrastructure or number of academic programmes.
He said, “The greatest measure of Babcock is the lives we have transformed. It is the doctor who saves a life. The lawyer who stands for justice. The accountant who refuses to compromise integrity. The teacher who inspires a child. The researcher who discovers a solution.
“The entrepreneur who creates employment. The pastor who restores hope. The professional who carries the name of Babcock into places we may never see. That is our real legacy.”
Ojewole said the administration had adopted the G.R.A.C.E. agenda as its strategic direction, with the objectives of making the university Globally Relevant, Research Focused, Adventist Rooted, building a Competent Community and nurturing an Entrepreneurial spirit.
He said the agenda was designed to prepare Babcock for a future in which its graduates would compete globally while remaining grounded in the values upon which the institution was founded.
“We want our graduates to sit at any table in the world and add value. We want our researchers to ask difficult questions and pursue meaningful answers.
“We want our faith to be visible not merely in our worship, but in our conduct. We want competence to become part of our institutional culture. And we want ideas born in classrooms and laboratories to become innovations, enterprises and solutions that touch society,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor urged members of the university community to see the continued development of the institution as a collective responsibility rather than the responsibility of the management alone.
He charged faculty members to continue to combine academic excellence with character formation, while urging students to study hard, live honourably and serve humanity.
Ojewole also appealed to the alumni to continue supporting the university and opening opportunities for younger generations.
He said, “We are not here merely to preserve what our founders built. We are here to build upon it. We honour the past best by preparing the institution for the future.”
The Vice-Chancellor described himself as a steward of a heritage that was bigger than any individual, saying his administration would strive to strengthen the institution and create new possibilities for future generations.
He added, “My prayer is that when our own chapter in Babcock’s history is eventually read, it will be said that we respected the foundation, strengthened the institution and opened new doors of possibility.
“That we did not merely administer Babcock. That we helped Babcock to rise. That we did not simply protect its past. That we prepared its future.”
The guest lecturer at the celebration, Elder Lekan Ogunbanwo, commended successive administrations of the university, saying the sacrifices made by the institution’s pioneers had yielded significant results.
Ogunbanwo also praised the people of Ilishan-Remo for their contribution to the establishment and continued development of the institution.
He recalled the early days of the project, when the university was still being developed and community members visited the site, stressing that the cooperation of traditional and community leaders was crucial to the establishment of the institution.
He specifically acknowledged the contribution of the late Chief Famodu, who he said played a significant role in facilitating the acquisition and donation of land for the institution.
Ogunbanwo said the efforts of the pioneers, the host community and successive administrations had transformed what began as a modest institution into a major university.
He commended the past and present administrators for sustaining the vision of the founders.
Earlier, the Chairman of the 2026 Founders’ Day Planning Committee, Professor Folorunso Ilesanmi Akande, said the celebration was an opportunity to reflect on the university’s journey and honour those who contributed to its development.
Akande noted that Babcock had spent 67 years on its academic journey and 27 years as a chartered university.
He recalled that the institution started in 1959 as the Adventist College of West Africa with seven ministerial students before evolving into the Adventist Seminary of West Africa and eventually becoming Babcock University.
He said the Federal Government granted the institution a charter in 1999, making Babcock one of the earliest private universities established in Nigeria.
Akande paid tribute to past Vice-Chancellors, particularly Professor Adekunle Alalade, Professor J.A. Kayode Makinde and Professor Ademola Stephen Tayo, for their respective contributions to the development of the university.
He said the Founders’ Day lecture was designed not only to commemorate the anniversary but also to enable the university community to reflect on its past, assess its present position and consider its future direction.
Speaking on the history of Babcock’s establishment, Dr Famodu recalled that his late father, who served as Chairman of the Ilishan Town Council, played a role in facilitating the institution’s establishment in the community when its founders were searching for a suitable location.
He said the people of Ilishan had sustained the vision of the institution for 67 years.
The speakers noted that the university’s growth from seven students at inception to more than 13,000 full-time students was evidence of the transformation that had taken place over the decades.
The institution also reflected on its expansion in academic programmes, research, professional education and infrastructure, including its medical and postgraduate programmes.
The Founders’ Day celebration brought together members of the university’s Governing Council, management, faculty, staff, students, alumni, members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, traditional and community leaders, parents and other stakeholders.
The anniversary ended with a call for the university community to preserve its founding values while pursuing innovation, scholarship, character development and service to humanity.
Ojewole, while closing the celebration, prayed that Babcock would continue to produce graduates of competence and character whose influence would extend beyond Nigeria and Africa.
He said, “We were founded on grace. Now, together, let us build for greatness.”
Correct Babcock’s student population figure
Sharpen the lead around community support
Attribute the Famodu account more clearly
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