Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, has blamed Nigeria’s rising crime rate on the country’s declining educational standards.

Babalola, who spoke at the weekend during a courtesy visit by the management of Ekiti State University (EKSU), led by its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Babatola Ayodele, said the country must urgently revamp its educational system to ensure national development and security.

“Half education is more dangerous than no education. Many of those engaged in criminal activities today are products of a failing educational system. We must urgently rewrite Nigeria’s educational narrative to foster national development and security,” he said.

The legal luminary urged policymakers and institutions to prioritise research grants, innovation, and academic excellence as tools for progress.

In her remarks, ABUAD Vice Chancellor, Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, praised Babalola’s vision, noting that the university has become a leader in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare delivery.

She highlighted the ABUAD Multi-System Hospital, describing it as the most well-equipped in Sub-Saharan Africa and a solution to Nigeria’s medical tourism. According to her, the facility recently recorded a milestone by successfully delivering twins for a 60-year-old woman.

Olarinde also called for greater gender balance in leadership, pointing out that ABUAD has women occupying key positions such as Vice Chancellor, Registrar, and Librarian.

On his part, the EKSU Vice Chancellor lauded Babalola as “an unrepentant philanthropist and proud alumnus who constantly adds value to society,” while seeking collaboration with ABUAD in agriculture, research, and student exchange programmes.

“With 14 hectares of tomato farms at EKSU ready for harvest, we recognise the need to deepen expertise in agriculture, a vital sector for Nigeria’s future,” Ayodele stated.