Afe Babalola Confident New Constitution Will Boost Industrial Development

Legal expert Aare Afe Babalola has expressed strong optimism that the implementation of a new constitution will significantly enhance Nigeria’s industrial, economic, and overall development. He emphasized that such a constitution would encourage the active participation of Nigerians in the nation’s industrial growth.

Babalola made this statement in Ado-Ekiti during the ABUAD-China Partnership Forum Meeting, where delegates from the China-Nigeria Consortium on Industry and Education were in attendance. He voiced his concern over the federal government’s ongoing refusal to issue a free trade zone certificate to Afe Babalola University (ABUAD).

According to Babalola, the over 132 units of the ABUAD Industrial Park, situated in Ado-Ekiti, have the potential to transform Nigeria’s economic landscape if properly utilized. He highlighted China’s economic progress over the past 25 years, noting that the country’s strategic decision to establish a free trade zone played a pivotal role in its growth.

“China, 25 years ago, was a very poor country. Today, it ranks second globally after the U.S. in nearly every sector,” he said. “When Nigeria became independent in 1960, China was nowhere. Now, American, German, and other international companies have set up industries in China, and the Chinese studied these operations to develop areas like Shanghai into highly industrialized zones, with no taxes or fees. That’s the model we are craving for here.”

Babalola revealed that despite applying for a free trade zone certificate for the past two years, the university had been denied the opportunity. He expressed frustration over the situation, especially since an American company is eager to establish a car manufacturing plant in the ABUAD Industrial Park.

“If we had regional government as we did before, Nigeria would have advanced far more than it has today,” Babalola added. “This is one more reason why we need a new constitution, or else we may never realize our full potential as a nation.”

Babalola also emphasized the importance of collaborating with China, calling the partnership a major achievement. He noted that both nations could work together in several areas, particularly due to their shared commitment to progress. He mentioned the desire for universities and organizations in China to collaborate with ABUAD, aiming to create beneficial opportunities for both sides.

Ms. Wendy Wang, the Secretary-General of the China-Nigeria Consortium on Industry and Education, commended Aare Babalola for his visionary achievements in education, engineering, and healthcare. Speaking through an interpreter, Wang described ABUAD as Nigeria’s leading institution, noting its incorporation of advanced technologies in its curriculum.

Earlier in the meeting, the Vice Chancellor of ABUAD, Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, welcomed the delegates and remarked that their visit mirrored the earlier trip made by her and a select ABUAD team to China, which was sponsored by Babalola. She disclosed that, thanks to the partnership, ABUAD is set to begin manufacturing vehicles and robots soon.