The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has announced the reintroduction of its Management Sciences degree programmes and the full take-off of a 3MW Hybrid Solar Power Project as part of major milestones ahead of its 33rd Convocation Ceremony scheduled to hold on Saturday 31st, January, 2026..
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Babatunde Kehinde, made the disclosures on Wednesday during a press conference held to herald the 33rd convocation of the institution.
Kehinde said the university has remained committed to sustaining the noble legacy of its founders by upholding academic excellence, moral discipline and institutional development.
He noted that FUNAAB has continued to produce competent and well-cultured graduates who are excelling in different spheres of life across Nigeria and beyond.
A major highlight of the Vice-Chancellor’s address was the announcement that the National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved the return of Management Sciences programmes earlier delisted.
According to him, Accounting, Banking and Finance, Business Administration and Economics have now been reintroduced following a previous Federal Government directive restricting Management Sciences in agricultural universities.
The Vice-Chancellor also revealed that the long-awaited 3MW Hybrid Solar Power Project has reached a significant operational milestone, providing uninterrupted electricity to the campus during the day.
He added that about half of the university community now enjoys electricity supply at night through the renewable energy initiative.
The World Bank-sponsored project, executed through a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Rural Electrification Agency in December 2022, has positioned FUNAAB among Nigerian universities leveraging clean energy solutions.
Prof. Kehinde further disclosed that the university strengthened its sustainability drive through the planting of 4,000 trees donated by Polaris Bank and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation in partnership with American Tower Corporation Nigeria.
In the area of innovation, FUNAAB recorded national recognition as one of its teams emerged among the top 10 finalists at the Hack4Livestock Hackathon.
The hackathon, organised by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy in collaboration with NITDA and other partners, attracted 497 entries nationwide.
The FUNAAB team, ANiMeDRig, impressed judges with an agri-tech solution designed to transform Nigeria’s livestock sector.
The Vice-Chancellor also announced that FUNAAB was listed among institutions eligible for the 2025 TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff under the specialised Universities of Agriculture category.
He said the university bookshop has been revitalised to provide quality reading materials at affordable prices for staff, students and the general public.
Kehinde also celebrated the achievement of a Computer Science graduate, Michael Aladejobi, who won the 2025 Salako Maven Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Prize, emerging as overall best among competitors nationwide.
On research funding, the Vice-Chancellor disclosed that 25 FUNAAB research teams secured N93.6 million under the TETFund Institutional Based Research grant.
He added that two teams also won the prestigious TETFund National Research Fund grant for 2025.
The university also attracted an IDH grant of $325,806 through Dr. Adetayo Aromolaran to create work opportunities for 2,500 young women farmers, including persons with disabilities and internally displaced persons.
A UK grant of €30,000 was also secured to support research and development efforts.
In academic expansion, Kehinde announced the take-off of six new undergraduate programmes approved by the NUC for the 2025/2026 session.
The new programmes include Wildlife and Ecotourism Management, Forestry Resource Management, Hydrology and Water Resources Management, Climate Science and Agricultural Meteorology, Cooperative Studies and Development Studies.
With the addition, FUNAAB now runs 44 academic programmes, while the number of departments has increased to 55.
At postgraduate level, the NUC approved new degrees in Entrepreneurship Studies, Mechatronics Engineering, Integrated Water Management and Agroecology.
The Vice-Chancellor further disclosed that FUNAAB now has two affiliate institutions commencing admissions this session.
These are the Federal College of Agriculture, Ibadan, and the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igbo-Ora.
Prof. Kehinde announced that all FUNAAB programmes achieved full accreditation in 2025, reinforcing the institution’s quality assurance culture.
He also revealed the establishment of the College of Computing Sciences to meet emerging global demands in digital technology and data science.
According to him, FUNAAB matriculated 6,356 students this session, the highest intake in nearly four decades.
On staff welfare, the Vice-Chancellor said the administration has sustained financial support for staff training, conferences and professional development.
He said the university convened a Health Week Symposium to promote wellness among staff and students.
The Vice Chancellor disclosed that 137 academic staff were promoted across cadres, while 338 senior and 239 junior non-teaching staff also benefited from promotions.
He added that retreats were organised for university leadership to strengthen service delivery and administrative efficiency.
The university also recruited 266 academic and non-teaching staff to enhance workforce capacity.
Prof. Kehinde noted that FUNAAB continues to produce leaders serving as vice-chancellors, principal officers, bursars and librarians across Nigerian institutions.
He cited several professors and senior staff recently appointed into leadership positions in sister universities and agencies.
The Vice-Chancellor also commended staff unions for their cooperation, which he said contributed to stabilising the academic calendar.
On student matters, Prof. Kehinde said the university remains resolute in impacting knowledge while ensuring a peaceful learning environment.
He highlighted student achievements, including participation in national dialogues on inclusive food systems and the award of research grants to outstanding students.
He also disclosed that six FUNAAB alumni received BATNF agripreneurship grants of N1.5 million each to support agricultural ventures.
Donations of solar-powered streetlights, minibuses and an 18-seater bus to the Students’ Union were also acknowledged.
Four students also emerged beneficiaries of the Ogun State Government’s Gbemiga Abiodun Educational Support Programme.
In infrastructural development, Prof. Kehinde listed several completed and ongoing projects funded through TETFund and internally generated revenue.
Key projects include the rehabilitation of the Chief Tony Anenih Building, construction of the College of Computing building, veterinary laboratories and a multi-storey office complex.
He said completed projects will be commissioned on January 30, 2026, by dignitaries including former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba and Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu.
The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted awards won by the university, including recognition from Enactus Nigeria and HortiNigeria.
On partnerships, he disclosed deepened collaborations with Germany, China, the Bahamas, the European Union and other international bodies.
He also announced FUNAAB’s carbon-credit partnership agreement aimed at generating 300,000 forest carbon credits through nature-based projects.
In entrepreneurship development, Prof. Kehinde revealed that BudgiT co-founder, Oluseun Onigbinde, launched a N10 million Innovation Prize for FUNAAB students.
He added that over 200 students were trained under Beekeeping Enterprise 2.0 to boost employability and agribusiness skills.
On the graduands, the Vice-Chancellor announced that 4,141 students will graduate with bachelor’s degrees, including 104 First Class graduates.
He added that 69 students completed part-time degree programmes, while the university will also graduate 49 PGD holders, 164 Masters graduates and 89 Ph.D recipients.
The Vice Chancellor described the convocation as a celebration of resilience, triumph and the beginning of new horizons for graduates.
Prof. Kehinde expressed profound gratitude to the Federal Government for sustained support and timely release of funds.
He particularly thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Visitor to the university, for his commitment to education and national development.
The 33rd convocation ceremony, he said, will further showcase FUNAAB’s steady progress, innovation drive and renewed commitment to excellence.
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