Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has paid glowing tribute to the late founder of Crescent University, Bola Ajibola, describing him as a visionary whose lifelong investment in education continues to shape lives.
Obasanjo spoke on Saturday in Abeokuta during the institution’s 20th Founder’s Day celebration, where 94 members of staff were recognised for long service and contributions to the university’s development. Among those honoured were the Vice-Chancellor, Ibraheem Gbajabiamila; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. R.O. Kareem; and Registrar, Zakariyya Ajibola.
The former President, who also holds the traditional title of Balogun of Owu Kingdom, described Ajibola as a committed nation-builder whose legacy in education remains impactful years after his passing. He further commended the Chairman of the university’s Board of Trustees, Mohammed Maruf Adesegun Ajibola, for sustaining and advancing his father’s vision.
As part of the anniversary events, three distinguished Nigerians received the 2026 Bola Ajibola Community Service Awards. They include the Secretary-General of the Ogun State Muslim Council, Kamal’deen Akintunde; retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Adeleye Oyebade; and Aare Kazeem Bakinson.
Speaking after the public presentation of a book titled Trends in Constitutionalism and Constitutional Adjudication in Nigeria, published in his honour, the university’s proprietor, Mohammed Ajibola, expressed appreciation to staff members for their commitment to the institution’s founding ideals. He noted steady growth in infrastructure and student population, while calling for continued support from stakeholders.
In his remarks, Gbajabiamila disclosed that the university currently has over 3,500 students from across Nigeria and is pursuing the establishment of a College of Medicine. He revealed that construction has begun on a Medical Science Laboratory Complex funded by the Abdul Samad Rabiu Foundation as part of ongoing expansion efforts.
A former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Fola Lasisi, also reflected on the early challenges faced during the university’s establishment, praising the determination of its founder and the resilience of those who have continued his work.
Delivering the Founder’s Day Lecture titled Collapse of the Rule-Based World Order: Whither International Law and Institutions, the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Prof. Abdul-Qadir Abikan, warned that developing nations—particularly in Africa—remain disadvantaged by global financial systems.
He criticised institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund for imposing conditions that prioritise fiscal discipline over long-term state-building, arguing that such policies deepen dependency among developing economies.
Abikan urged African countries to strengthen local capacity in key sectors, including food security, energy, and industrialisation, noting that a more self-reliant continent would be better positioned to influence global systems.
The event attracted several dignitaries, including the Ogun State Chief Judge, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu; the Alake of Egbaland, Adedotun Gbadebo; and the Olota of Ota, Abdul-Kabir Obalanlege, among others.
