Last Updated on June 28, 2026 by Olasunkanmi Olajide
By Raymond Osemene
The College of Plant Science and Crop Production (COLPLANT), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), today, June 24, 2026, organised a One-Day Step-Down Workshop on the University’s Research Ethics Policy to strengthen ethical standards and promote responsible research practices among Academics, Researchers, Postgraduate students, and other stakeholders.
In his Welcome Address, the Dean of COLPLANT, Prof. Bolarinwa Senjobi, described the workshop as part of the University’s commitment to enhancing awareness, understanding, and compliance with research ethics policies across its Academic Units. He noted that research remains a cornerstone of academic excellence, innovation, and societal development.
Prof. Senjobi stressed that the value of research lies not only in its outcomes but also in the ethical principles guiding its conception, implementation, dissemination, and utilisation. He emphasised that ethical conduct safeguards human participants, animals, the environment, and the integrity of the scientific process.
He further urged researchers to uphold the highest standards of honesty, accountability, transparency, and professionalism, noting that the increasing complexity of research and international collaborations has made adherence to ethical guidelines more critical than ever.
Delivering a Goodwill Message, the Ag. Director of the Directorate of Research, Innovations and Partnerships (DRIP), Prof. Oluwagbemiga Adeleye, highlighted the transformation of the global research landscape through structured ethics policies and regulatory frameworks. He noted that ethical approval has become a mandatory requirement for publication in many reputable international journals.
According to him, many researchers in developing countries face challenges in securing international publications due to the absence of institutional ethical review mechanisms. He added that strict compliance with research ethics standards would enhance the quality, credibility, and global visibility of research conducted at FUNAAB.
The workshop featured a keynote lecture titled “Research Ethics Today” delivered by Prof. Isaac Aiyelaagbe, who described research ethics as a set of internationally accepted principles and guidelines governing responsible research conduct. He stressed that ethics goes beyond regulatory compliance to include honesty, accountability, integrity, and responsibility throughout the research process.
Prof. Aiyelaagbe cautioned against unethical practices such as data fabrication, falsification, and manipulation of research findings. He noted that historical cases of unethical experimentation underscored the need for strict ethical oversight and participant protection, while emphasising that ethical approval remains mandatory for research involving humans, hazardous substances, genetic engineering, and activities with environmental implications.
Also speaking, Prof. Akinola Popoola delivered a lecture titled “FUNAAB Research Ethics Policy.” He noted that the growing global demand for humane, fair, and responsible research practices has made ethical compliance an essential aspect of academic and scientific endeavours. He explained that research ethics encompasses the values and principles guiding the justification, design, execution, interpretation, and dissemination of research findings.
Prof. Popoola emphasised that ethical responsibilities extend beyond obtaining approvals to include responsible data collection, accurate reporting of findings, environmental protection, biosafety compliance, and informed consent. He advised researchers and postgraduate students to avoid falsifying results, noting that negative findings remain valuable contributions to knowledge, while also highlighting the importance of gender inclusiveness in research teams.
