- Aare Afe Babalola has over 60 years of practice and founded one of Nigeria’s leading law firms while attaining the prestigious rank of SAN
- As founder of Afe Babalola University, he also revolutionised private education in Nigeria, offering world-class facilities and scholarships
- Babalola is a dedicated philanthropist who supports farmers, empowers students, and drives socio-economic development in Ekiti State and beyond
Afe Babalola is one of Nigeria’s most distinguished lawyers and the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD). He is also an educationist, farmer, and former Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
Over his career, Babalola has earned numerous accolades for his remarkable contributions to Nigeria’s legal, health, agricultural, and education sectors.
With over 60 years of legal practice, Babalola has not only influenced the legal profession but has also played a pivotal role in promoting education and agriculture in Nigeria. His philanthropy, partnerships with global institutions, and commitment to community development have made him a celebrated figure.
Afe Babalola’s early life and background
Aare Afe Babalola was born on October 30, 1929 in Ado-Ekiti, Southern Region of British Nigeria (now Ekiti State). Growing up in a family of uneducated farmers, Babalola’s humble beginnings shaped his resilient character and work ethic.
Where did Babalola school?
Despite financial difficulties, Babalola excelled academically. He attended Emmanuel Primary School in Ado-Ekiti and later obtained a Senior Cambridge School Certificate through Wolsey Hall, Oxford. He pursued further studies, earning an A-Level certificate from the University of London and degrees in Economics and Law from the London School of Economics.
Afe Babalola’s illustrious legal career
Babalola’s legal journey began in London, where he was called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn in 1963. Upon his return to Nigeria, he joined Olu Ayoola and Co., a law firm in Ibadan. In 1965, he founded Afe Babalola & Co. (Emmanuel Chambers), which has grown into one of Nigeria’s leading law firms.
In 1987, he was conferred the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the pinnacle of the legal profession in Nigeria. Despite offers to serve as the country’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Babalola declined, preferring to focus on his private practice and other ventures.
Contributions to education
As a passionate advocate for education, Babalola served as Pro-Chancellor of UNILAG from 2001 to 2007, winning the Best Pro-Chancellor Award in 2005 and 2006. In 2009, he established Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), to provide world-class education and improve Nigerians’ living standards.
ABUAD has been recognised as one of the top private universities in Nigeria and offers 47 accredited courses. Its facilities include a 400-bed teaching hospital, state-of-the-art medical equipment, and a robust agricultural programme. The university provides scholarships and seed capital to students, particularly those studying agriculture.
Contributions to agriculture
Babalola has made significant strides in agriculture, establishing an Industrial Park in Ado-Ekiti to process crops like cassava, tomatoes, and yam. This initiative has reduced post-harvest losses and empowered local farmers.
He has also awarded bursaries to students pursuing agricultural studies and donated millions of Naira to support the farming community in Ekiti State.
Philanthropy
Babalola is renowned for his generosity. His philanthropic efforts include building administrative and academic facilities for institutions in Ekiti State, awarding scholarships, and supporting farmers with financial grants.
Family life of Afe Babalola
Afe Babalola is married to Yeye Aare Modupe Mercy Afe Babalola, an entrepreneur and philanthropist. The couple has nine children, many of whom are lawyers and high-achievers who are educated at prestigious institutions like Harvard. Their daughter, Bolanle Austen-Peters, is a celebrated movie producer and cultural entrepreneur.
Religious beliefs
Babalola is a Christian, raising his family with values rooted in humility, integrity, and faith.
Awards and recognitions
Babalola’s achievements have earned him numerous awards, including:
- Queen Victoria Commemorative Award (Socrates Award of European Business Assembly, Oxford).
- Africa Man of the Year on Food Security (2014).
- Induction into the Africa Hall of Fame (2016).
Popular quotes by Afe Babalola
- “My legacy is not in the buildings I have, not by the money in my account, but in these children, students of my school.”
- “The only change that can be a lasting change, that would change the world and change the people, is changing the minds of the youths.”
- “Hard work does not kill; what kills is indolence.”
Legacy
From humble beginnings in Ado-Ekiti to becoming a legal icon and education pioneer, Afe Babalola’s life exemplifies resilience, vision, and philanthropy. Through ABUAD and his numerous initiatives, he continues to inspire and empower generations, leaving an indelible mark on Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape.
Recent controversy with Dele Farotimi
According to reports, Dele Farotimi (A Nigerian Lawyer and human rights advocate) accused Afe Babalola in his book titled, ‘NIGERIA AND ITS CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM’ of corrupt activities related to allegedly manipulating Supreme Court decisions in a 2013 land dispute favouring his client. This made Babalola to sue for criminal defamation, leading to a 16-count charge against Farotimi and his subsequent arrest. The petition dated November 19 and addressed to the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Adeniran Akinwale detailed how his law firm discovered the book written by Farotimi and the defamatory contents contained in the book, referring to Babalola severally in the book as the “Doyen of the legal profession”. The book was discovered by one of Babalola’s lawyers on November 2, 2024.
The case was a Supreme Court judgment on July 13, 2013, involving a land dispute that spanned over two decades. Case details Suit no SC/146/2005, Major Muritala Gbadamosi Eletu & Ors V. H.R.H Oba Tijani Akinloye & Ors. The case was a land matter that involved 254 hectares of land acquired by the Lagos State Government but later contested by the Ojomu family, who sold the land to Babalola’s client decades earlier. Babalola’s legal team successfully argued that the Ojomu family acted in bad faith by attempting to reclaim the land after its sale. The case ruled in favour of Babalola’s client, the Gbadamosi Eletu family.
In a petition dated November 19 and addressed to the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Adeniran Akinwale, Babalola detailed how his law firm discovered Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System and the defamatory contents therein.
Babalola has described himself as a pillar of the Nigerian legal profession, emphasising his six-decade-long career marked by integrity, discipline, and professionalism.
Afe Babalola seeks Dele Farotimi’s removal from Nigerian lawyers roll
Meanwhile, TheRadar previously reported that Afe Babalola’s law firm petitioned the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) for Dele Farotimi's removal from the Nigerian lawyers roll over alleged misconduct.
The petition against Farotimi claimed that he breached professional conduct by making defamatory statements about judges and obstructing justice in his book.
