Last Updated on August 8, 2026 by Olasunkanmi Olajide
The Consul General of Burkina Faso to Nigeria, Mr. Maxim Bengaly, on August 6, 2026, paid a courtesy visit to the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), seeking to strengthen bilateral cooperation with the University, particularly in agriculture and other areas of mutual interest.
During the visit, Mr. Bengaly identified agriculture, economic cooperation, cultural exchange, and scientific collaboration as key areas where Burkina Faso and FUNAAB could deepen their relationship.
He stressed that language should not constitute a barrier to stronger relations between Nigeria and Burkina Faso, noting that human beings possess the intellectual capacity to learn and master new languages. He further illustrated this with his personal business affiliations with Saki, a town in Oyo State.
Welcoming the Consul General and his delegation, the Vice-Chancellor expressed delight at the visit. He affirmed FUNAAB’s readiness to partner with Burkina Faso and other West African countries in the areas of research, education and community development.
Prof. Kehinde disclosed that the University had, over the years, trained nationals from various West African countries, particularly at the Postgraduate level, through its Africa Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment (CEADESE) programmes.
He assured the Consul General that students from Burkina Faso would be warmly welcomed to FUNAAB’s Postgraduate programmes, adding that the University was open to exploring further areas of collaboration.
The Vice-Chancellor also used the occasion to appeal to the Consul General to explore the possibility of facilitating the establishment of a French Language Centre at FUNAAB, noting its potential to strengthen communication, cultural exchange and academic collaboration between the University and Francophone countries.
