Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) has attributed the rapid rise, academic excellence, and continuous development of Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) over its 20 years of existence to divine grace, visionary leadership, and selfless sacrifice.

President of CAC Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Samuel Oladele, who serves as Visitor to the university and Chairman of its Board of Trustees, stated this during a media briefing to unveil the university’s 20th anniversary celebration, themed “Two Decades of Divine Grace, Growth, and Glory.”

Oladele, while tracing the institution’s history, leadership succession, and future priorities, noted that JABU was conceived as a lasting memorial to the life, ministry, and enduring legacy of Apostle Joseph Ayodele Babalola, one of the foremost figures in the history of indigenous Pentecostal Christianity in Nigeria.

He said that the choice of Ikeji-Arakeji as the university’s location was deeply significant, as the community is associated with the prophetic call of Apostle Babalola in October 1928, thereby connecting the location of the university to the spiritual heritage it was established to honour.

“This scripture captures the spiritual conviction underlying the establishment of our university. We acknowledge the hand of God in its conception, the sacrifices of its pioneers, the commitment of successive administrations, and the contributions of all who have helped to sustain its mission,” Oladele said.

The CAC President, who paid tribute to the successive leaders who have shaped the university’s development as well as the contributions of pro-chancellors and chairmen of the governing council, added: “An institution’s history is best understood not only through its dates and milestones, but also through the people who have carried its vision from one generation to another.

“No institution reaches its 20th anniversary through the effort of one individual or one administration. It takes vision, sacrifice, institutional memory, collective responsibility, and the grace of God.”

Oladele said that JABU’s founding philosophy rests on the understanding that education should develop the whole person, noting that academic competence without character can become a liability.