This year’s Convocation Ceremony of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, ABUAD, will enjoy a tinge of uncommon international flavour as two foreign universities, Trinity Western University, Canada, and Trinity International University, USA, will be conferring on ABUAD’s Founder, Aare Afe Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, their Honoury Doctor of Laws Degrees on October 21, 2026.
This was made known over the weekend by Dr. Philip Laird, the Senior Vice President, Global Engagement & Government Relations, Trinity Western University, Canada, (TWU), when he presented the invitations from the two universities to Babalola in Ado-Ekiti.
Laird who is currently on secondment to Trinity International University, USA, (TIU) affirmed that the proposed conferral by TWU and TIU represents one of the highest distinctions the universities can bestow on anyone.
Emphasizing the exclusiveness of the Awards, Laird said that “They are reserved for individuals whose lives and accomplishments have made exceptional contributions to society and whose influence extends far beyond the boundaries of their profession”.
His words: “In honouring you, we recognize your extraordinary impact on legal scholarship, educational innovation, philanthropy, social development, nation-building, and leadership. Yet I must say with sincerity that the privilege belongs not only to the recipient. Indeed, the greater honour belongs to us. It is the privilege of Trinity Western University in Canada and Trinity International University in the United States to be associated with your remarkable legacy.
