
Aare Afe Babalola, Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti ABUAD, has challenged staff and stakeholders to work towards the institution ranking among the top 50 universities globally. This new target follows ABUAD's recent achievement of being ranked 72nd worldwide in the 2026 Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Rating, making it the only Nigerian institution in the top 100. Vice Chancellor, Professor Smaranda Olarinde, speaking on behalf of the founder, acknowledged the fulfillment of Babalola's previous aspiration to see ABUAD in the top 100. She stated that the founder has now set an even higher goal for the university to continue its upward trajectory and secure a place among the world's top 50 universities. Professor Olarinde attributed ABUAD's success to visionary leadership, strategic planning, institutional discipline, resilient governance, staff commitment, and the support of students, parents, partners, and stakeholders. She highlighted key pillars driving ABUAD's success, including full accreditation of all programs, over 70 institutional partnerships, state-of-the-art facilities, a stable academic calendar, uninterrupted power supply, a functional Planetarium, extensive scholarship programs, and the founder's prioritization of staff and student welfare, including salary reviews.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadEuropean development finance institutions have expanded their investment in Nigeria, announcing a new €20 million Nigeria Country Window and additional financing for infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, renewable energy, and small businesses. This announcement was made by the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS following the 10th Nigeria-European Union Business Forum in Abuja. European financiers stated that these new investments demonstrate growing confidence in Nigeria’s economic reforms and long-term growth prospects. The European Investment Bank reported signing over €500 million in financing for Nigeria in the past year across public and private sectors, with more investments expected. Loic Le Ruyet, Senior Investment Officer, Corporate Division, European Investment Bank, noted that the bank's portfolio includes sustainable transport, healthcare manufacturing, agriculture, renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises. The €20 million Nigeria Country Window, jointly implemented by FMO, the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank, and the European Development Finance Institutions Management Company, is part of the European Union’s AgriFI and ElectriFI blended finance programs. This facility aims to channel financing to small and medium-sized enterprises in agribusiness and rural electrification, while mobilizing additional private capital. Edilberto Jose Baquero of FMO highlighted that this financing model addr

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the dredging of 28 additional primary drainage channels following recent flooding across the state. Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, stated that recent heavy rainfall was an extreme weather event that overwhelmed drainage infrastructure, causing temporary flooding in areas like Victoria Island, Lekki, Ikeja, Gbagada, Mushin, and Mafoluku. Wahab noted that Lagos faces complex hydrological challenges due to its extensive network of lagoons, rivers, creeks, and tidal water bodies, which slow stormwater discharge during high tide. He assured residents of continuous monitoring of drainage infrastructure and flood-prone locations, with emergency response agencies supporting affected communities. The commissioner urged residents to support flood control efforts by avoiding indiscriminate refuse dumping, illegal wetland reclamation, and construction on drainage alignments, warning that such activities worsen flooding. He highlighted that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of rainfall in coastal cities like Lagos. Wahab advised motorists to avoid driving through flooded roads and urged residents in flood-prone areas to comply with weather advisories. Recent heavy rainfall led to widespread outrage, with residents criticizing the government over recurring flooding that submerged major roads, stranded motorists, disrupted commercial activities, and left homes underwater across
Must ReadThe Federal Government aims to generate ₦2.5 trillion in independent revenue by 2026, as disclosed by Charles Abana, the acting Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission. This target follows the Commission's monitoring of approximately ₦1.84 trillion in independent revenue generated by Ministries, Departments and Agencies as of September 2025. Abana stated that efforts are being intensified to improve transparency in revenue reporting, ensure timely remittance of operating surpluses into the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and eliminate revenue leakages. The Commission has also updated its Operating Surplus Calculation Template to align with current fiscal realities and the Finance Act 2020, with the template now fully automated for improved efficiency. Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, called for stronger collaboration among fiscal and oversight institutions to enhance transparency, accountability, and prudent management of public finances, emphasizing the Fiscal Responsibility Commission's critical role in Nigeria's fiscal governance framework.