SPEECH DELIVERED BY PROF. OLASUPO IJABADENIYI ON BEHALF OF AARE AFE BABALOLA OFR, CON, SAN, LL. D (London), Fellow, King’s College, London, FNAE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 2026 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE EKITI STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY, IJERO EKITI ON THE
THEME: REVOLUTIONIZING HEALTH EDUCATION:
Integrating Technology, Innovation, and Best Practices DELIVERED ON WEDNESDAY, 13TH MAY 2026.
Protocols
Distinguished members of the academic community, respected health professionals, dear students, ladies and gentlemen.
It is a profound honour to represent the highly revered living legend, Aare Afe Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, LL. D (London), Fellow, King’s College, London, FNAE, as Chairman at the opening ceremony of the 2026 International Conference of the Ekiti State College of Technology, Ijero Ekiti.
I would like to acknowledge from the beginning that the theme of this Conference “Revolutionizing Health Education: Integrating Technology, Innovation, and Best Practices” sits at the very heart of modern healthcare delivery.
In today’s world, this theme is no longer aspirational. It is urgent, practical, and non-negotiable. For those of us in the health sector, it defines the difference between delay and timely intervention, between preventable loss and saved lives, between outdated systems and responsive care. Across several communities in Ekiti State including semi-urban and rural settlements around Ado-Ekiti, Ikere-Ekiti, and the Ijero axis; health system assessments have also identified persistent challenges such as delayed decision-making at household and primary care levels, inadequate emergency obstetric preparedness at lower-tier facilities, and weak coordination in referral systems. (Aduloju Aduloju & Ipinnimo, 2023). Reports and analyses from public health stakeholders, including Nigeria Health Watch and peer-reviewed maternal health studies, reinforce a critical conclusion: that many of these adverse outcomes are preventable, particularly when early detection, rapid referral, and coordinated care systems are strengthened through technology and structured best practices.
This is not theoretical because as a member of ABUAD community, I have seen how structured innovations transform outcomes. At the ABUAD Multi-System Hospital, healthcare delivery is deliberately engineered around integrating digital records, coordinated departments, modern diagnostic infrastructure, and continuous professional development.
Beyond technology, what stands out is culture: a disciplined commitment to best practices. There is an understanding that excellence is not occasional, it is systematic; not accidental, it is intentional. That experience reinforces a key truth for us here today at the College of Health Sciences and Technology, Ijero-Ekiti.
We must therefore move beyond producing graduates who only understand procedures. We must produce professionals who can think critically, adapt quickly, and apply technology intelligently in real clinical environments.
To the students: you are not merely being trained to join the health workforce; you are being prepared to reshape it, embrace innovation, learn continuously and challenge outdated limitations. The future of healthcare will not reward repetition; it will only reward transformation.
To the lecturers and administrators, we carry the responsibility of shaping that future. Our curricula, our teaching methods, and our institutional culture must evolve in line with global realities in health technology and practice.
Ladies and gentlemen, the challenges in our healthcare system are significant but they are not permanent. We should be guided by three principles namely:
where there is integration, there is efficiency;
where there is innovation, there is progress; and
where there are best practices, there is excellence.
If we are committed to these principles, we will not only improve healthcare delivery but we will redefine it for Ekiti State and beyond.
ABUAD MULTI-SYSTEM HOSPITAL AS A CASE STUDY
The magnanimity of the living legend Aare Afe Babalola towards revolutionizing health care in Ekiti state and Nigeria at large has been demonstrated through the various models introduced by the Afe Babalola Multisystem Hospital in several ways.
One of the most compelling demonstrations of innovation within the healthcare space in Ekiti State is the Afe Abiye Programme (Free antenatal and delivery) which was launched in October 2024 as an initiative designed to provide free antenatal and delivery services to pregnant women.
At its core, this programme addresses a fundamental barrier to healthcare access cost. In many communities, maternal complications are not solely the result of medical limitations, but of delayed care caused by financial constraints and poor access to structured services. By removing this barrier, the programme ensures that expectant mothers can access the healthcare system early and consistently throughout their pregnancy. This programme which is ongoing has led to 170 safe deliveries as at April 2026, and has attended to over 1,000 women who received or are receiving free ante-natal care.
However, what makes the Afe Abiye Programme particularly significant is not just its benevolence, but its systematic integration into a broader healthcare framework. It is supported by trained professionals, diagnostic services, and referral pathways that ensure continuity of care from antenatal visits to safe delivery. This reflects true innovation not merely in the idea of free healthcare, but in the design of a system that sustains and delivers it effectively. It aligns with best practices in maternal health by promoting early detection, routine monitoring, and timely intervention, thereby reducing preventable complications and improving outcomes.
Another critical pillar of integration at Afe Babalola University Multi-System Hospital is its advanced renal care programme, particularly in the area of kidney dialysis and the renal transplant. The hospital operates a well-equipped dialysis centre with 17 dialysis machines and carries out an average of 400 dialysis treatments every month.
The success of the unit has led to the AMSH Renal Transplantation Program, where 46 successful kidney transplants have been carried out as at April 2026. The centre can handle both emergency and long-term renal cases. The availability of multiple modern dialysis machines and the ability to conduct hundreds of dialysis sessions on a regular basis demonstrate a strong commitment to technology-driven healthcare delivery.
Through groundbreaking surgeries, sustained innovations in renal and cardiac care, world-class diagnostic services, and commitment to medical education and research, AMSH has redefined standards in patient care across Nigeria. With these strides, AMSH continues to live up to its founding creed as “The Perfect Healthcare Destination.” What distinguishes this service is its placement within a comprehensive continuum of care.
Dialysis at the hospital is not an isolated intervention; it forms part of an integrated system that includes diagnosis, stabilization, and ultimately kidney transplant procedures.
This progression reflects adherence to global best practices, where treatment is not limited to managing symptoms but extends to providing definitive solutions. By offering such advanced services locally, the hospital reduces the need for medical tourism and ensures that patients within Nigeria can access world-class care. This is a clear example of how technology, when properly integrated into a healthcare system, can transform both capacity and outcomes.
A third dimension of this model is the establishment of community-based annexes in Odo-Ado (Girigiri) and Basiri both within Ado-Ekiti. These annexes represent a strategic shift from centralized healthcare delivery to a more decentralized and accessible system. Positioned within densely populated areas, they serve as the first point of contact for many patients, offering consultations, basic diagnostics, and maternal and child health services. The true strength of these annexes lies in their integration with the main hospital. Through structured referral systems, patients who require advanced care are seamlessly transferred to the central facility without fragmentation of their medical history or delay in treatment. This creates a hub-and-spoke model, widely recognized as a best practice in healthcare systems globally. The annexes ensure early detection and prompt intervention at the community level, while the main hospital provides specialized care. In doing so, the system reduces congestion, improves efficiency, and enhances patient outcomes. It is a clear demonstration of how thoughtful system design can bridge the gap between accessibility and quality.
Underlying all these components is a strong foundation of public-private collaboration, which makes the entire model both sustainable and scalable. The development and operation of the hospital, its annexes, and its outreach programmes reflect significant private sector investment, while simultaneously serving public health needs. This alignment ensures that innovation is not limited by bureaucratic delays and that resources are deployed efficiently.
The annexes, particularly within Ado-Ekiti, highlight how private initiatives can complement public efforts in expanding healthcare access. Similarly, programmes like Afe Abiye demonstrate how targeted interventions can address critical gaps in maternal health. Through such collaborations, the strengths of both sectors are harnessed; the efficiency, funding, and innovation of the private sector, alongside the reach and policy support of the public sector. This synergy is essential for integrating technology and best practices into a system that serves a broad population. It also provides a replicable model for other regions seeking to improve healthcare delivery through strategic partnerships.
When considered individually, each of these components: the Afe Abiye Programme, the renal dialysis and transplant services, and the community annexes represent a significant advancement. However, their true impact becomes evident when viewed as parts of a single, integrated system. Together, they form a healthcare model that addresses care at every level: prevention, access, diagnosis, treatment, and advanced intervention.
It may also interest you to know that Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) which was established 16 years ago has been a role model in terms of infrastructure, innovation, technology, research, quality teaching and community service. No wonder why the institution has been adjudged by Times Higher Education Impact Ranking as Number 1 in Nigeria for four consecutive years (2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025); Number 3 in Africa and Number 84 in the world. This is what it truly means to integrate technology, innovation, and best practices. Technology is evident in the advanced diagnostic and treatment capabilities; innovation is reflected in programmes like Afe Abiye and the decentralized annex system; and best practices are embedded in the structured, coordinated approach to patient care. Supported by a functional public-private partnership framework, these elements combine to create a system that is not only efficient but also responsive to the needs of the people.
The lesson is clear: meaningful healthcare transformation does not occur through isolated interventions, but through intentional integration. The model demonstrated by the Afe Babalola University Multi-System Hospital shows that when the right structures are put in place, it is possible to build a system that delivers quality care consistently and sustainably. The challenge before us now is to learn from this example, adapt it where necessary, and expand its principles to benefit a wider population.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, we have seen what is possible when systems are built with intention. The task before us now is to scale it, sustain it, and make it accessible to every level of care.
On this note, I humbly urge participants to contribute meaningfully and intellectually to the success of this Conference.
On behalf of our highly esteemed iconic leader Aare Afe Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, LL. D (London), Fellow, King’s College, London, FNAE, it is therefore my honour to formally declare the 2026 International Conference ceremony open.
Wishing you all successful deliberations.
Thank you.