Last Updated on May 26, 2025 by Olasunkanmi Olajide

By Aduragbemi Oke

All is now set for the Federal College of Agriculture, Ibadan (FCAIB), and Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora (OYSCATECH), to commence their affiliate Degree Programmes at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), beginning with the 2025/2026 Academic Session.

This development followed a series of collaborative engagements between FUNAAB and the two institutions, culminating in a strategic meeting hosted by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Olukayode Akinyemi. Prof. Akinyemi welcomed the visiting teams and commended the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, for his unwavering commitment to expanding access to quality agricultural education through strategic partnerships.

He urged Dr. Elizabeth Augustus, Director of the External Degree Programmes (representing FCAIB Provost, Prof. Jonathan Atungwu), and Prof. Akinola Akinlabi, Rector of OYSCATECH, to begin mobilising and sensitising final-year students in preparation for the programme’s take-off.

The affiliate programmes received a major boost after undergoing a successful resource verification by the National Universities Commission (NUC), which paved the way for intensive planning sessions involving FUNAAB Management, Heads of Departments, and capacity-building workshops held in Ibadan and Igboora.

During the recent meeting, Prof. Akinyemi highlighted key take-off considerations, including the admissions process, financial projections, portal management, and general implementation strategies. He was joined by the Ag. Director of the Information and Communication Technology Resource Centre (ICTREC), Mr. Temitope Soretire, who demonstrated the registration process via the FUNAAB portal. According to him, prospective candidates must process a change of institution to FUNAAB, after which the affiliate institutions would upload their names. Eligible applicants would then submit their credentials, be shortlisted, offered provisional admission, and proceed to pay their Acceptance and School Fees, followed by Course Registration.

The Chairperson of the Admissions Committee, Prof. Comfort Sodiya, provided insights into the selection process, emphasising compliance with JAMB guidelines, valid O’level results, and correct subject combinations for each programme.

Also contributing, Prof. Emmanuel Fakoya, Dean of the College of Agricultural Management and Rural Development (COLAMRUD), confirmed that the respective curricula from the partner Colleges have been submitted to the NUC and approved by FUNAAB Senate. He noted that the courses would be delivered by qualified lecturers from the affiliate institutions.

To ensure effective coordination, Prof. Akinyemi stressed that all parties would operate on a harmonised Academic Calendar, fostering synergy and academic excellence.