Last Updated on September 16, 2026 by Olasunkanmi Olajide
… Targets Agricultural Professionals, Institutions Across Africa
The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Nigeria, is strengthening its global role in agricultural capacity development with a portfolio of four intensive International Short Courses designed to equip agricultural professionals with practical skills, cutting-edge knowledge and research competencies.
The five-day programme, which commenced on Monday, September 14 and would run until Saturday, September 19, 2026, is being delivered by the World Bank Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment (CEADESE), further positioning FUNAAB as a platform for international knowledge exchange, professional development and agricultural innovation.
The four specialised courses are Cassava Production, led by Prof. Thomas Fabunmi; Seed Agronomy, led by Prof. Emmanuel Idehen; Research Methods, facilitated by Prof. Oluwagbemiga Adeleye; and Seed Quality Testing and Laboratory Tools, led by Dr. Tolulope Lawrence.
The Cassava Production course takes participants through the cassava value chain, from variety selection and production to processing and enterprise development. Seed Agronomy focuses on seed biology, crop reproductive processes and seed production planning, while the Seed Quality Testing and Laboratory Tools course provides practical training in genetic purity, field inspection and laboratory analysis.
The Research Methods course equips participants with competencies in research design, experimentation, data analysis and scientific writing.
Each programme comprises 40 contact hours and combines expert-led masterclasses with hands-on fieldwork, laboratory exercises, case studies and competency-based assessments. The practical orientation is designed to help participants translate acquired knowledge into solutions they can apply within their institutions and agricultural systems.
The programmes have attracted participants from outside Nigeria, including professionals from Liberia’s Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), led by its Director, Mr Joseph Woah.
Speaking during a Courtesy Visit to the Vice-Chancellor, Mr Woah described the programme as both an exploratory engagement and a professional development opportunity for CARI, expressing confidence in FUNAAB’s capacity to deliver on the training objectives.
Welcoming participants at the Opening Ceremony on Monday, September 14, 2026, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, emphasised the importance of continuous professional development in accelerating agricultural transformation.
“I am welcoming you to the Best University of Agriculture in Africa today. Take every lecture seriously so you can return to your organisations and improve your systems,” the Vice-Chancellor told the participants.
Prof. Kehinde also specially welcomed Mr. Mark Yanley, a FUNAAB alumnus from Liberia who previously participated in a CEADESE programme, back to his alma mater. At the end of each programme, participants who successfully met the stipulated requirements would receive a Certificate of Completion carrying 40 Contact Hours.
The initiative represents an expansion of FUNAAB’s contribution to agricultural development beyond conventional degree programmes, reinforcing the University’s focus on internationalisation, research excellence, industry and institutional engagement, professional capacity building and lifelong learning.
Through initiatives such as these, FUNAAB is creating avenues for agricultural professionals and institutions across Africa to access specialised expertise, share knowledge and develop practical solutions capable of advancing agricultural productivity and sustainable development across the continent and beyond.
#SDG4, #SDG16, #SDG17
