Last Updated on January 5, 2026 by Olasunkanmi Olajide
A Recap of Major FUNAAB News Events in 2025
The year 2025 stands out as a watershed in the history of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB). It was a year marked by academic consolidation, infrastructural transformation, expanded global visibility, research breakthroughs, governance stability, and community relevance. Through strategic leadership, visionary partnerships, and institutional resilience, FUNAAB not only consolidated its mandate as a specialised University of Agriculture but also strengthened its standing as a comprehensive, innovation-driven university of global relevance.
Outlined below are the major thematic areas that dominated media coverage and institutional milestones during the year under review.
- Academic Excellence, Stability & Programme Expansion
a. Accreditation Milestones
In 2025, FUNAAB recorded a major academic victory with the full accreditation of all its programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC), spanning Agriculture, Engineering, Sciences, Veterinary Medicine and other disciplines. Notably, all academic programmes in the University remained fully accredited, reinforcing FUNAAB’s culture of quality assurance and academic rigour.
b. Restoration and Expansion of Academic Offerings
i. A landmark achievement was the successful re-introduction of Management Sciences programmes that are B.Sc. Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, Banking and Finance, after a hiatus since 2017.
ii. Similarly, the University established the College of Computing Sciences (COLCOMPS), in response to emerging global demands in digital technology, data science and IT.
iii. Approval was also granted by the NUC for new postgraduate programmes, including M.Sc. Agroecology and an MBA, reflecting FUNAAB’s commitment to interdisciplinary and market-relevant education.
iv. Historic Student Intake & Academic Stability
FUNAAB matriculated 6,356 students for the 2025/2026 academic session, the largest intake in its 38-year history, while maintaining academic stability, uninterrupted academic calendars, and timely examinations.
v. The University underwent verification for hosting TETFund Centres of Excellence, positioning FUNAAB as a hub for world-class postgraduate training, research leadership and reduced dependence on foreign study.
vi. Hosting of a New Federal University: In a historic national contribution, FUNAAB facilitated the successful take-off of the Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Abeokuta (FUMMSA), which commenced operations on FUNAAB campus, underscoring its role in national higher education development.
- Major Rankings & Global Recognition
a. FUNAAB recorded outstanding performance in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2025, ranking among the top 10 universities in Nigeria, with impressive SDG performances:
2nd in Nigeria – SDG 4 (Quality Education)
3rd in Nigeria – SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)
4th in Nigeria – SDG 13 (Climate Action)
b. Graduate Employability: The University was ranked the 2nd Best Performing Federal University in Nigeria for Graduate Employability, reflecting the effectiveness of its curriculum, practical training, and industry linkages.
c. World’s Top Scientists:
Two FUNAAB scholars, Dr. Adewale Taiwo and Dr. Emmanuel Oke were listed in Stanford University’s World’s Top 2% Most-Cited Scientists, affirming the University’s growing global research footprint.
d. Sustained Global Identity: Throughout the year, FUNAAB consistently reinforced its reputation as Africa’s leading University of Agriculture and 7th globally, as earlier recognised in THE 2024 rankings.
- Leadership in Research, Innovation & Knowledge Production
a. FUNAAB hosted the prestigious 2025 Humboldt Kolleg Scientific Conference on “AI-Driven Regenerative Agriculture”, positioning the University at the frontier of artificial intelligence, sustainability and food systems innovation.
b. Public Health Breakthroughs: A team led by Prof. Sammy Sam-Wobo developed the Prediction Model for Nigeria’s Neglected Tropical Diseases (PM-Nig-NTDs), a groundbreaking tool now recognised for its relevance to national public health planning and policy.
c. Research Grants & Funding: No fewer than 25 FUNAAB researchers won multi-million naira grants under the TETFund Institutional Based Research (IBR) scheme, while the University also successfully hosted monitoring teams for the TETFund National Research Fund (NRF).
d. Inaugural Lectures: The year witnessed a vibrant series of inaugural lectures (97th–107th) addressing diverse themes such as green growth economics, animal welfare, food security microbiology, climate-smart construction materials, statistical reasoning, and language evolution.
- Strategic Partnerships & MoUs
a. International Collaborations
i. China: Visit of the Chinese Consul General, Yan Yuqing with commitments to deepen cooperation in education, research and language training.
ii. Germany: Visit of the new German Consul General, Daniel Krull advancing discussions on agrivoltaics and food processing, building on earlier engagements.
iii. The Bahamas: High-level delegation explored agricultural collaboration and institutional replication.
iv. United States: Partnership with Virginia State University on curriculum benchmarking under a Carnegie Fellowship.
b. National & Industry Partnerships
i. FUNAAB strengthened collaborations with:
Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) whereby Six FUNAAB graduates won agripreneurship grants, TETFund & NUC,including Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN)
ii. Several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed in 2025, reinforcing research, innovation, entrepreneurship and capacity development.
- Entrepreneurship, Employability & Student Empowerment
a. ₦10 Million FUNAAB Innovation Prize launched by BudgIT Co-founder, Mr. Oluseun Onigbinde.
b. Beekeeping Enterprise 2.0, in partnership with WAFROEX, trained over 200 students.
c. Career Services & Linkages Unit (CSLU) organised career fairs and industry engagements.
d. Alumni excellence spotlighted by Mr. Fahd Egunjobi, Best Graduating Master’s Student at AIMS Ghana.
- Infrastructure, Energy & Agricultural Production
a. Major Infrastructural Developments
i. Completion of Principal Officers’ Quarters, COLPHYS Phase II, new COLVET Laboratory, modern Greenhouse,
Construction of link road to the Prof. Oluwafemi Balogun Ceremonial Building, FUNIS and Staff School upgrades, Facelifts at Anthony Anenih, Oba Oyebade Lipede Multipurpose Buildings and other locations.
ii. Monument Naming
The University immortalised excellence through the naming of:
Prof. Olusola Oyewole Lecture Theatre and l
Prof. Kolawole Salako Academic Building.
iii. Energy & Sustainability
The 3MW Hybrid Solar Power Station commenced test-run operations, underscoring FUNAAB’s leadership in renewable energy.
iii. Agricultural Production:
Promotion of Yam Minisett Technology and
Regular DUFARMS food sales to the University Community and the public.
- Governance, Administration & Staff Development
a. Staff promotions across Academic and Non-Teaching cadres
b. Strategic retreats for Council, Deans, Directors and Heads of Department
c. Governing Council Appreciation Dinner for DPR staff
d. Royal Dinner hosted by the Alake of Egbaland celebrating restoration Management Sciences
e. Several FUNAAB staff appointed Principal Officers of other tertiary institutions nationwide
f. Continuous capacity building, including ADEPTI digital empowerment workshops
- Community Engagement, Sports & Societal Impact
a. Public health support to Ogun State Government on schistosomiasis and helminthiasis
b. Hosting of the Maiden International Conference on Climate-Smart Agriculture and
DIGISOL Digital Innovation Hub Workshop
c. Staff Unity Games, fostering wellness and institutional cohesion
d. Alumni-led youth career guidance initiatives
Conclusion
The year 2025 was truly transformative for FUNAAB. Through academic excellence, infrastructural renewal, global partnerships, research innovation, staff development, and community engagement, the University consolidated its position as a national asset and a global knowledge hub.
Under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, FUNAAB reaffirmed its commitment to food security, sustainability, innovation, and human capital development, charting a confident course towards an even more impactful future.
Compiled by Olasunkanmi Olajide & Emeka Oluka
