A Doctorate Degree graduate in the Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Technology, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta(FUNAAB), Ayoni Surajudeen Ogunbayo has won the Nigerian Universities Doctoral Thesis Award Scheme (NUDTAS), instituted by the National Universities Commission.

The NUC, in a letter signed by Dr (Mrs) Ruqqayat Gurin, and addressed to the Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, Professor Olusola Bandele Oyewole, said “I am pleased to inform the Vice-Chancellor that sequel to our earlier request for nominations and following submissions from your University, in consideration for the 2010, 2011 and 2012 awards under the Nigerian Universities Doctoral Theses Award Scheme [NUDTAS], the following thesis from your University, emerged winner for the award in its respective discipline and year”.

Dr Ogunbayo’s doctoral thesis that won him the award is titled, “Genetic Variation Correlation Studies and Multilocational Performance of Lowland NERICA Rice (Oryza species L)”, which was supervised by Professor David Ojo, Head of the recipient’s Department.

There are 17 combined winners of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 NUDTAS awards, alongside Dr Ogunbayo that will be honoured, as part of activities lined up for the 50+1 celebration of the NUC.

The National Universities Commission introduced the Scheme, to encourage academic research, promote best practices among Universities and to encourage postgraduate scholarship by creating a culture whereby Universities and individuals will invest their intellect and time in research, given its critical role in nation building.