Trinity Western University, Canada, and Trinity International University, United States, will confer Honorary Doctor of Laws degrees on the founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, during the institution's convocation ceremony on 21 October 2026.

The announcement was made by Dr Philip Laird, Senior Vice President for Global Engagement and Government Relations at Trinity Western University, when he presented the formal invitations to Babalola in Ado Ekiti at the weekend. Laird, who is currently on secondment to Trinity International University, described the proposed conferral as one of the highest distinctions both institutions could bestow on any individual.

"They are reserved for individuals whose lives and accomplishments have made exceptional contributions to society and whose influence extends far beyond the boundaries of their profession," Laird said.

He added that in honouring Babalola, the two universities recognised his extraordinary impact on legal scholarship, educational innovation, philanthropy, social development, nation building and leadership, stating that the greater honour belonged to the institutions themselves for being associated with his legacy.

Laird also presented Babalola with the Trinity Western University African Leadership Excellence Award, recognising his exemplary leadership, contributions to higher education, distinguished service to Nigeria and the African continent, and his enduring commitment to developing ethical and principled leaders.

Responding, Babalola reflected on his humble origins, noting that he grew up on a farm some seven miles from Ado township without shoes or basic clothing, and found it remarkable that two prominent universities in Canada and the United States would send a representative to Nigeria to inform him of such recognition.

"But here I am today being celebrated by two great universities, one in Canada and the other in the United States of America. I give glory to God for what He has enabled me to achieve," he said.

Babalola noted that he had deliberately chosen not to write a will in favour of his children alone, opting instead to establish a private university in 2009 to deliver functional and impactful education. He pointed to the university's rating by Times Higher Education Impact Sustainability Rankings as the number one institution in Nigeria for five consecutive years from 2022 to 2026, second in Africa and 72nd globally, as a realisation of that founding vision.