Afe Babalola CON OFR SAN (born 30 October 1929) is a distinguished Nigerian lawyer, educator, and founder of Afe Babalola University. His career has spanned various fields, including law, arbitration, and higher education, and he is renowned for his significant contributions to Nigeria’s legal and educational systems.
Early Life and Education
Afe Babalola was born in Ado Ekiti, now part of Ekiti State, in southern Nigeria. He began his education at Emmanuel Primary School in Ado Ekiti. His academic journey continued at Wolsey Hall, Oxford, where he privately studied for the Senior Cambridge School Certificate, and later obtained his A’Level certificate from the University of London. Babalola pursued higher education at the London School of Economics, earning a bachelor’s degree in Economics before studying Law at the University of London. He was called to the English bar in 1963 and became a member of Lincoln’s Inn, London, the same year.
Legal Career
Babalola began his legal career in Ibadan at the firm Olu Ayoola and Co. After two years, he established his own practice, Afe Babalola and Co., which later became known as Emmanuel Chambers. His legal expertise earned him the title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 1987, the highest rank in Nigeria’s legal profession. In 2001, he was appointed Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, a position he held until 2008, during which he was named the best Pro-Chancellor of Nigerian Universities in 2005 and 2006.
Education and University Contributions
In 2009, Babalola founded Afe Babalola University to address the educational needs in Nigeria. The university has gained recognition as one of Nigeria’s leading private institutions, ranking as the second-best private university in the country by 2013.
Arbitration and Professional Achievements
Afe Babalola also made significant strides in arbitration. He was inducted as a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators in 2002 and served as its president from 2017 to 2021. His tenure was marked by efforts to advance arbitration practices in Nigeria.
Personal Life
Babalola is married to Modupe Mercy Babalola, and they have nine children, including notable figures such as Bolanle Austen-Peters and Folashade Alli (SAN).
Afe Babalola’s career reflects his unwavering commitment to legal excellence, education, and arbitration in Nigeria, making him a pivotal figure in both fields.
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