A fresh chapter has opened in Nigeria’s higher education story as Jimoh Babalola University (JBU) on Thursday officially launched in Ilorin, setting its sights on nothing less than global academic excellence.
Amid excitement and high expectations at the unveiling ceremony, the founder and chairman of the university, Alhaji Jimoh Babalola, described the institution as a symbol of hope designed to drive modern academic transformation in Nigeria.
Alhaji Babalola used the occasion to make a strong case for private universities across the country, urging the Federal Government to extend intervention support, including access to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), to private institutions.
He noted that private universities are not just centres of learning but also employers, innovators, and key partners in national development, playing a critical role in job creation, skills development, and the fight against illiteracy.
The chairman painted an ambitious picture of JBU’s future, one that stretches far beyond Ilorin.
According to him, the university is envisioned as a global learning hub, attracting students from different parts of the world and producing graduates capable of solving real-world problems and making meaningful international impact.
While speaking at the occasion, the Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam, assured the university of the state government’s partnership, stressing that the administration of Governor AbdulRazaq AbdulRahman remains committed to initiatives that enhance human capital development and the overall well-being of citizens.
Speaking on the academic progress of the institution, the Vice Chancellor, Professor M. A. Ijaya, revealed that although the university is barely five months old, it has already enrolled over 50 students across different programmes, describing it as an early signal of confidence in its vision and direction.
He added that the current campus serves as a take-off site, with plans already underway to relocate to a permanent location that will support expansion, additional academic programmes, and improved learning facilities.
Recently approved by the Federal Government as part of a new wave of private universities, Jimoh Babalola University joins Nigeria’s fast-evolving higher education landscape, one shaped by a growing demand for quality, innovation, and global relevance.
The university currently offers programmes in Allied Health Sciences and Science and Computing, with competitive admission processes aligned with national standards.
Established with core values centred on clarity, capacity, and civility, JBU aims to equip young Nigerians with the skills required for professional and societal success, reflecting its mission of preparing students for a better world through quality education.
As private universities continue to expand Nigeria’s higher education space providing alternatives to public institutions and easing access pressures, Jimoh Babalola University’s emergence offers renewed hope for students seeking world-class learning within the country.
