The Executive Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, has been chosen to deliver the 14th Convocation Lecture of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), and will also be conferred with an honorary degree during the institution’s 2026 convocation ceremonies.
The university announced that the lecture will be delivered on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at the Alfa Belgore Multipurpose Hall on the ABUAD campus, while the honorary degree will be bestowed on the airline chief during the grand finale of the convocation on Wednesday, October 21.
The development was conveyed in a letter signed by the Chancellor and Founder of the university, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, who disclosed that the institution’s Senate had approved Okonkwo’s appointment as the convocation lecturer.
According to the letter, the United Nigeria Airlines chairman is among three eminent Nigerians selected to receive honorary degrees during the ceremonies in recognition of their outstanding contributions to humanity and national development.
Explaining the rationale behind the choice of Okonkwo as the keynote speaker for the annual event, Babalola said the businessman and academic possesses the pedigree and accomplishments befitting the honour.
“With your antecedents and pedigree, you are certainly the right person to be invited to deliver the 14th Convocation Lecture,” the Chancellor stated.
He further noted that accepting the invitation would afford the airline chairman the opportunity to witness the strides recorded by ABUAD over the past 16 years in redefining higher education in Nigeria through the promotion of quality and functional learning.
Babalola also expressed the hope that the visit would pave the way for collaboration between the university and Okonkwo in advancing what he described as a “noble and selfless journey” aimed at transforming society through education.
The institution reiterated its commitment to raising standards in tertiary education, noting that since its establishment, it has pursued a vision centred on excellence, innovation and the production of graduates equipped with practical skills and sound moral values.
Reacting to the recognition, Professor Okonkwo expressed profound appreciation to the university and its founder, describing the twin honours as a privilege and a source of great personal fulfilment.
He said he was deeply humbled by the confidence reposed in him and conveyed his admiration and respect for Afe Babalola, whose contributions to legal practice and education have earned widespread acclaim.
“It is my absolute delight to accept both proposed designations as Convocation Lecturer and as a Recipient of the University’s Honorary Degree,” Okonkwo said.
He added that he considered the invitation a rare opportunity to join the league of distinguished statesmen, intellectuals and technocrats who had featured prominently in previous convocation ceremonies and contributed to discussions on building a better and more inclusive society.
According to him, participation in the event aligns with his longstanding commitment to service and nation-building.
“I consider it an honour to join the eminent cast of statesmen and technocrats you have featured over the years in these prestigious ceremonies to propagate the conversation on a better society for all of us. Besides, I always cherish every opportunity to be recruited into the service of humanity,” he said.
Professor Okonkwo’s selection further underscores his growing profile in Nigeria’s business and aviation sectors. As Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, he has played a prominent role in expanding indigenous participation in the country’s air transport industry while also contributing to academia and national discourse.
The 2026 convocation ceremonies of ABUAD are expected to attract leading personalities from government, academia, the private sector and civil society, as the institution celebrates another milestone in its quest to promote excellence and reshape the landscape of higher education in Nigeria.
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