Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) in Ado‑Ekiti recently marked its 14th convocation, awarding honorary Doctor of Letters degrees to Professor Obiora Okonkwo, chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, and Niyi Olajide, founder of Cavista Holdings, while 2,194 graduates received their diplomas.
**Key facts**
- The ceremony saw 1,759 undergraduates and professional students graduate alongside 435 postgraduate scholars.
- Academic distinctions included 286 First Class, 824 Second Class Upper, 234 Second Class Lower and 29 Third Class awards.
- Prominent guests comprised Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ewi of Ado‑Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, and several federal ministers and former governors.
Who received the honorary Doctor of Letters?
Professor Obiora Okonkwo, the head of [United Nigeria Airlines](https://unitednigeriaairlines.com), and Mr. Niyi Olajide, the chief executive of [Cavista Holdings](https://cavistaholdings.com), were each presented with an honorary D.Litt. The university cited their roles in advancing entrepreneurship, aviation, agriculture, hospitality and tourism across Nigeria.
What were the graduation statistics?
Out of the 2,194 graduates, 1,759 completed undergraduate or professional programmes, while 435 earned postgraduate qualifications – 359 from the College of Postgraduate Studies and 76 from the ABUAD Business School. The distribution of class honours highlighted a strong academic performance, with a notable 286 First Class graduates.
What did the governor say about the honorees?
Governor [Biodun Oyebanji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodun_Oyebanji) praised both businessmen for injecting millions of dollars into Ekiti’s economy. He remarked, "Mr. John Niyi Olajide has invested heavily in agriculture, tourism and hospitality, creating jobs and transforming the Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort into a world‑class destination. Likewise, Professor Okonkwo’s aviation investments have enabled the Ekiti Cargo Allied International Airport to handle over 10,000 passengers since commercial flights began on 10 December 2025."
What other recognitions were presented?
The convocation also honoured the university’s founder, Aare Afe Babalola, with honorary Doctor of Laws degrees conferred by representatives of Trinity Western University (Canada) and Trinity International University (United States). In his acceptance speech, Aare Babalola described the ceremony as the most memorable moment of his life and urged graduates to become problem‑solvers and ambassadors for the institution.
How did traditional rulers respond?
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, lauded the duo’s entrepreneurial spirit, while the Ewi of Ado‑Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, called for increased private‑sector participation to accelerate the state’s development. Both leaders emphasized the need for more investors to complement the legacy of ABUAD’s founder.
The ceremony underscored ABUAD’s role as a catalyst for academic excellence and economic partnership, linking higher education achievements with private‑sector investment to drive growth in Ekiti State and Nigeria at large.