Afe Babalola Urges Tinubu To Fast-Track Reconstruction Of Ado-Ijan Road

Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Afe Babalola, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to expedite the reconstruction of the Ado-Ijan Road, citing the severe hardship its deteriorating condition has imposed on residents and commuters.

Babalola made the appeal on Tuesday during the 2026 Annual Aare Afe Babalola Distinguished Personality Lecture Series held at the university campus in Ado-Ekiti.

He lamented that the poor state of the road has continued to disrupt academic and economic activities in the state, describing it as a critical access route linking the state capital to neighbouring states and serving key institutions, including ABUAD, the Federal Polytechnic, and the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport.

According to him, although the Federal Government awarded a contract for the expansion of the trunk “A” highway over a year ago, progress on the project has been slow.

Babalola urged the contractor handling the project to intensify work, stressing the daily challenges faced by road users, particularly members of the academic community. He noted that lecturers and staff often experience delays or are forced to cut short their engagements due to the road’s condition.

In his remarks, Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, who delivered a lecture titled “Building Legacies: Governance, Successor-Generation and Continuity,” said the state is benefiting from sustained policies that ensure continuity in governance.

Oyebanji emphasised the importance of institutionalising governance systems to preserve legacies and achieve sustainable development. He also highlighted the need for pragmatic succession planning and the development of capable leaders committed to advancing established visions.

The governor disclosed that his experience in various public offices under former administrations, including those of Niyi Adebayo and Kayode Fayemi, prepared him for leadership and contributed to the continuity currently observed in the state.

Addressing students’ questions, Oyebanji dismissed concerns about Nigeria drifting towards a one-party state, attributing current political alignments to strategic decisions by individuals and groups.

He also advised youths to complement formal education with skill acquisition and entrepreneurship, urging them to position themselves as job creators in a rapidly evolving economy.