Afe Babalola, SAN, is a prominent Nigerian lawyer who also serves as the founder of Afe Babalola University. In addition to his legal career, he is known for his work as a farmer and educator. Babalola previously held the position of pro-chancellor at the University of Lagos State (UNILAG).
| Full Name | Aare Afe Babalola |
| Date of Birth | 30 October 1929 |
| Place of Birth | Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria |
| State of Origin | Ekiti State, Nigeria |
| Career | Lawyer, Educationist, Farmer |
| Net Worth | $350 million |
Early Life And Education
Afe Babalola, a native of Ado Ekiti in Southern Nigeria, received his early education at Emmanuel Primary School.
He pursued his education further by studying privately for the Senior Cambridge School Certificate through Wolsey Hall in Oxford. After obtaining his A’Level certificate from London University, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the London School of Economics.
Babalola briefly worked at the Central Bank of Nigeria before obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of London. In 1963, he was called to the England bar and became a member of Lincoln’s Inn in London.
Legal Career
Afe Babalola started his legal career as a litigation lawyer at Olu Ayoola and Co law firm in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State in western Nigeria. After two years, he founded his own law firm, Afe Babalola and Co. (Emmanuel Chambers) in 1965.
Babalola attained the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 1987, the highest title in the legal profession in Nigeria.
In 2001, he was appointed Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos by former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a role he held until 2008. During this time, he was recognized as the best Pro-Chancellor of Nigerian Universities in 2005 and 2006.
In 2009, Babalola established Afe Babalola University with the goal of advancing education in Nigeria. By 2013, the university had achieved the ranking of second-best private university in Nigeria and 17th out of 136 universities in the country.
Arbitration
Afe Babalola became a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICArb) in 2002 and served as the institute’s president from 2017 to October 2021.
Throughout his presidency, he played a crucial role in advancing the institute and making valuable contributions to its development. Despite stepping down from his official duties, Babalola continues to actively support NICArb and the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) community.
Personal Life
Afe Babalola is happily married to Modupe Mercy Babalola. Together, they have nine children, among them Bolanle Austen-Peters and Folashade Alli (SAN).
Afe Babalola Net Worth
Afe Babalola’s current net worth is estimated to be $350 million. He is recognized as one of Nigeria’s wealthiest lawyers and the founder of Afe Babalola University. His wealth comes from his successful law practice, agricultural investments, and significant land holdings across Nigeria.
Awards And Achievements
Awards and Recognitions received by Aare Afe Babalola:
- Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
- Queen Victoria Commemorative Award at Socrates Award of European Business Assembly in Oxford, UK.
- Honorary Doctorate of Laws (LL. D) from Ekiti State University in 2002.
- Best Pro-Chancellor award in 2005.
- Winner of the Best Pro-Chancellor award in 2006.
- Vice President and Rector of Europe in 2010.
- Honorary Doctorate of Letters (D.Litt.) from Kogi State University in 2012.
- Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Lagos in February 2013.
- Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Jos in March 2013.
- Africa Man of the Year on Food Security in 2014.
- Honorary Doctor of Management from the Federal University of Technology, Akure in 2014.
- Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of London in 2014.
- First African to receive an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of London in 2015.
- Inducted into the Africa Hall of Fame by the Advisory Board of the African Leadership Development Foundation, USA and UK in 2016.
