Last Updated on December 4, 2025 by Olasunkanmi Olajide
By Olasunkanmi Olajide & Tofunmi Adebayo
The Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Okukenu IV, CFR, today, December 2, 2025, hosted members of the Governing Council and Management of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) to a special royal dinner in Abeokuta, to celebrate the University’s recent academic strides in the re-introduction of Management Degree Programmes and the expansion of Science courses.
The high-profile gathering, held at the historic Ake Palace, underscored FUNAAB’s renewed momentum with the restoration of its Management Sciences programmes and the expansion of frontier science courses, developments widely regarded as significant gains for Nigeria’s higher education landscape.
Welcoming the delegation, the Alake commended FUNAAB for its resilience and steady commitment to academic excellence. He commended the re-introduction of the Management Sciences programmes, describing it as a much-needed boost for aspiring students and a testament to the University’s determination to overcome regulatory hurdles. The highly revered monarch added that the reception was organised to honour beneficiaries of the reinstated programmes and to offer prayers for the institution’s continued growth.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, Odundun IV, Asoludero, expressed deep appreciation to the Alake for his hospitality and long-standing support. He described the restoration of the programmes as a major breakthrough achieved through strategic leadership and institutional cooperation, reaffirming that FUNAAB remains committed to sustaining productive partnerships with traditional institutions.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, provided further insights into the processes that led to the restoration. He explained that the programmes were earlier suspended following nationwide policy adjustments but thanked the National Universities Commission (NUC) for approving their reinstatement after FUNAAB demonstrated full compliance through extensive reforms, accreditations and consultations.
He noted that the restoration and expansion reflected the University’s institutional robustness, aligning with its vision to broaden access to emerging and in-demand fields. The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted the take-off of the Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Abeokuta (FUMMSA) within the FUNAAB campus, saying that it has significantly enhanced FUNAAB’s visibility with a broadened academic offering. According to him, “Kabiyesi, Egbaland now has a university that has expanded in leaps and bounds.”
The evening concluded with a vote of thanks by one of the Federal Government Appointees on the Governing Council, Dr. Adeniyi Balogun, followed by a closing prayer from the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Prof.) Saka Adelola Matemilola, Oluyalo Otileta VII.
The royal reception is widely seen as reinforcing the bond between traditional rulers and academia while spotlighting FUNAAB’s strategic leadership in driving innovation, academic expansion, and national development within Nigeria’s higher education system.
