The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has conferred the title of Life Patron on Sunday Babalola, a former governorship aspirant in Kwara State.

A statement released on Thursday noted that NANS President, Olushola Oladoja, along with other executives, conferred the honour on Babalola in Lagos. The ceremony took place during the NANS leadership's ongoing campus tour of the South West region.

Oladoja stated that the NANS leadership took into serious consideration the extensive philanthropic gestures of Babalola. They specifically highlighted his significant investment in scholarship awards for pupils and students, as well as the other empowerment outreach programs run by the Bayo and Bunmi Babalola Foundation across Nigeria.

He said, "We have watched you investing in the educational sector, mentoring young people across the country, and today we are here to identify with you as well, solidify a relationship with you by conferring this NANS' national honour, which makes you officially our Life Patron and father."

He also said the NANS leadership embarked on the visitation of tertiary institutions in the country for need assessment and the welfare of its members.

Babalola, in his response, commended the leadership of NANS for championing various struggles for the betterment of students across the country and in the diaspora.

Babalola, a co-founder of the BBBF, said, "I will continue to support the leadership of NANS. This is an impetus for me to do more, and this I will do as God grants me the grace to give back to society."

The statement noted that Babalola, through BBBF and the co-founder, Pastor Bunmi Babalola, has offered scholarships to several pupils in junior secondary schools, senior secondary schools and students of tertiary institutions, both undergraduates and post-graduates.

As an education advocate, Babalola in July urged Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to invest more in education, agriculture, and industrial development across the state.

He said such investments should be evenly spread across all three senatorial districts to ensure inclusive development and equitable distribution of resources.

He further urged AbdulRazaq's administration to ensure judicious allocation of resources and remain focused on initiatives that would directly impact lives.