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The Consul-General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria, Michel Deelen, has described Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), as a model institution whose academic and technological standards compare with leading universities around the world. Deelen made the remarks during his visit to the university over the weekend, where he commended the founder, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, for raising educational standards in Nigeria through visible leadership and development within a short period. The envoy expressed admiration for ABUAD’s infrastructure, academic innovation, and self-sustaining systems, noting that its high-tech facilities and commitment to quality education serve as an example for Africa’s development efforts. During a tour of the university’s colleges, industrial park, and the Afe Babalola University Multi-System Hospital (AMSH), Deelen said he was impressed by what the institution has achieved in less than 16 years. He highlighted the importance of education to national development, stressing that Nigeria’s progress is closely tied to investment in human capital. He also spoke on the need to balance national priorities across agriculture, technology, and industry, referencing the Netherlands’ growth as the world’s second-largest agricultural exporter despite having only a small percentage of its population in farming. Deelen said his mission in Nigeria focuses on collaboration, trade, and knowledge exchange, adding that his visit to ABUAD aligns with that goal. According to him, “ABUAD reminds me of an American university because the first thing you see when you drive in is a sports field. “The university is so self-sufficient, with a high level of technology and that influences the way students are being taught. I have never seen such an amazing teaching hospital in Nigeria, the Afe Babalola University Multi-System Hospital is truly high-tech. “The colleges here are impressive, the Industrial Park is impressive, these create an environment where education thrives. I am honoured to see all these great achievements within such a short time.” He further said, “About ten years ago, when the Netherlands was considering how best to increase collaboration with Nigeria, my Nigerian friends told me, ‘If there’s one thing you can focus on, it’s education. “The rest we will build ourselves.’ That makes being here today even more meaningful, because education remains the primary stepping stone for building a nation.” He urged students to see education not only as a route to personal advancement but also as a responsibility to contribute to their communities and Nigeria’s development. “Nigerian doctors are sought after all over the world because they can operate even without constant electricity. If you can thrive under difficult circumstances, you become more robust, more determined and a go-getter. You, the students here, are the future builders of your country”. He added In his remarks, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, called for collaboration with the Netherlands to boost investment in ABUAD’s industrial park and research laboratory. He also invited the envoy to partner with the university in its medical research initiatives. Babalola said the university had ventured into producing herbal capsules and syrups as part of efforts to position Nigeria as the first country in Africa to manufacture vaccines through a university-led effort. ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
