“Since ABUAD came into existence some 15 years ago, it has continued to occupy a pride of place in the comity of universities by ensuring that its impact is felt on all fronts as a result of which it is rightly acknowledged as the best private university in Nigeria by national and international educational stakeholders”
By Tunde Olofintila
Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti, ABUAD, recently ranked by Times Higher Education Impact Rankings as No. 84 university in the world, No. 3 in Africa and No. 1 in Nigeria for four consecutive years: 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ibn Tofail University, Morocco, to enhance relations, and friendship between the two African universities.
Other carrots embedded in the MoU include the development of academic and cultural exchange in the areas of education, research and related activities between the two universities garnished with cooperation to work together towards the internationalization of higher education in Africa.
The MoU which was signed by the President of Ibn Tofail University, Prof. Mohammed Larbi Kerkeb, and ABUAD’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, on July 22, 2025, in far-away Morocco, underscored the fact that the two universities have agreed “to collaborate on programmes and activities of mutual interest and benefit within their respective capacities”.
Under the MoU, ABUAD and Ibn Tofail University agreed to work together in the following areas and under the following terms:
Exchange of academic staff for teaching purposes.
* Research, training and other academic activities,
* Exchange of students, including short-term and long-term studies,
Joint research in the fields of mutual interest,
* Joint Conferences, Workshops and Seminars,
* Joint Scientific programmes,
* Exchange of scientific materials, publications, teaching materials and academic data.
However, before carrying out any of the above-mentioned activities, both parties must agree on specific details for each activity and document the agreed terms in separate memoranda of Agreement.
Furthermore, the letter of intent shall remain in effect for a period of five years, commencing from the date of the last signature while the renewal of the MoU at the end of the agreement shall be subject to the approval of the relevant authorities.
In case of termination, scholars and student participants already in the programme will be allowed to finish the agreed period of academic year as the host university under the original terms of conditions.
Commenting on the consummation of the MoU, Olarinde described the development as inspiring and in tandem with ABUAD’s vision of maintaining an excellent track record with the aim of institutionalizing qualitative and functional education and raising a new generation of patriotic and nationalistic leaders in Nigeria.
The Vice Chancellor emphasized for the umpteenth time that since the university came into existence some 15 years ago, it has continued to occupy a pride of place in the comity of universities by ensuring that its impact is felt on all fronts as a result of which it is rightly acknowledged as the best private university in Nigeria by national and international educational stakeholders.
For example, the National Universities Commission, NUC, the Regulatory Authority for University Education in Nigeria, has acknowledged our university as “magic and miracle”, “a model, benchmark and reference point” as well as “the pride of University system in Nigeria” and endorsed by the Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU) as “the most successful private university in Nigeria”. UNESCO also acknowledged it as “a world class institution of Higher Education”.
Rising from its 2025 ranking meeting on June 18, 2025, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, THEIRS, ranked the 15-year-old university as follows:
* No. 84 in the world
* No. 3 in Africa,
* No. 1 in Africa in SDG 7 (Affordable & Clean Energy) with a score of 83.3%
* No. 1 in Africa in SDG 13 (Climate Change) with a score of 83.1%
* No. 2 in Africa in SDG 1 (No Poverty) with a score of 87.9%
* No. 3 in Africa in SDG 17 (Partnership for Goals) with a score of 92.4%
* No. 1 in Nigeria in SDG 1 (No Poverty) with a score of 87.9%
* No. 1 in Nigeria in SDG 7 (Affordable & Clean Energy) with a score of 83.3%
* No. 1 in Nigeria in SDG 13 (Climate Change) with a score of 83.1%
* No. 1 in Nigeria in SDG 17 (Partnership for Goals) with a score of 92.4%
* No. 1 in Nigeria for four consecutive years: 2022, 2023, 2024 and now 2025.
Olarinde, who is representing West Africa on the Governing Council of the Association of African Universities, AAU, and Vice-President, National Association of AI Practitioners (South-West Nigeria), underscoring the place and import of the newly signed MoU with Ibn Tofail University, Morocco.
She stated that, “This particular MoU is different from all others because apart from ABUAD’s commitment to ensuring that it flourishes within the shortest possible time, it will enable ABUAD to spread the gospel of quality and functional education to other parts of Africa”.
* Olofintila, is ABUAD’s Director, Corporate Affairs
