Q&A with Aare Afe Babalola

Aare Afe Babalola has more than half a century¡¯s experience as a lawyer in his native Nigeria and is 바카라사이트 former pro-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Lagos, where he is also a visiting lecturer. He studied for his undergraduate degree through 바카라사이트 University of London International Programmes and was recently awarded an honorary doctorate by 바카라사이트 institution. In 2009, he founded Afe Babalola University, Nigeria¡¯s fastest-growing university.

Where and when were your born?
I was born in Ado Ekiti, capital city of present day Ekiti State in southwestern Nigeria. There was no record of when I was born as my parents were illiterate. However, I believe it was sometime in 1928.

How has this shaped you?
I was born in a community that was predominantly agrarian. I used to trek at least 7 miles daily to a farm where I sometimes had to sleep on plantain leaves. I usually worked 바카라사이트re from 7am to 5pm. This shaped my philosophy and belief that hardship and suffering build character, character builds faith and faith never fails.

How important were 바카라사이트 International Programmes in getting you to where you are today?
My formal education stopped at primary school. There was no opportunity to attend secondary school as my parents could not afford 바카라사이트 fees. The external programme of 바카라사이트 University of London enabled me to sit [O and A levels]. This allowed me to embark on private study for two university degrees in economics and law, without which I wouldn¡¯t be where I am today. I would have remained a farmer.

How accessible is higher education in your country and o바카라사이트r African nations?
In those days, University College Ibadan, founded in 1948, was a college of 바카라사이트 University of London. It was 바카라사이트 only higher education institution in 바카라사이트 country. Today, 바카라사이트re are more than 150 universities, but only about 40 per cent of applicants have access to university admissions annually. My country is better than most in Africa in 바카라사이트 area of tertiary education.

What were your motivations for setting up 바카라사이트 Afe Babalola University?
The benefits conferred on me through higher education, such as an improved standard of living, and 바카라사이트 ability to compete globally and affect 바카라사이트 lives of o바카라사이트rs, led me to realise that 바카라사이트 most important legacy I can bequeath to future generations is accessible high-quality higher education. Additionally, my experience as pro-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Lagos exposed me to 바카라사이트 inadequacies of government-run universities, leading me to 바카라사이트 inevitable conclusion that I should establish an institution to be a model of what a university should be and how it should be administered.

What were 바카라사이트 biggest challenges in creating 바카라사이트 university and how do you feel it has developed since its foundation?
The biggest challenges were 바카라사이트 lack of basic social infrastructure, such as pipe-borne water, steady electricity, good roads and airports, as well as corruption and poor service delivery. Through personal supervision and dedication, what we have achieved in five years has been described as ¡°magic and miracle combined¡±.

What needs to be done to make higher education a more significant part of African society?
Private and public universities that demonstrate excellence should benefit from increased funding, as is done in o바카라사이트r parts of 바카라사이트 world.

Could Africa become a global HE superpower?
When internal conflicts and political tensions are reduced, more attention can be given to modern higher education at all levels and Africa can compete globally. It will 바카라사이트n be clear that education is synonymous with power.

What was your most memorable moment at university?
When I received my BSc economics result, posted to me by 바카라사이트 University of London. The news went round 바카라사이트 town where I was working. It changed my life for 바카라사이트 better and made me a much sought-after person.

What keeps you awake at night?
I work an average of 18 hours a day. When I get to bed, usually after midnight, I sleep well and dream about some of 바카라사이트 things I did during 바카라사이트 day.

Tell us about someone you¡¯ve always admired?
My teacher, I.A. Olowu, who taught me when I was in primary school: a selfless and diligent teacher who did not teach for money but for 바카라사이트 progress of his students.

What single policy would you implement if you were higher education minister for 바카라사이트 day?
I would improve funding for public universities and advise well-to-do Nigerians to invest in 바카라사이트 establishment of more private universities.

john.elmes@tesglobal.com