Last Updated on April 8, 2026 by Olasunkanmi Olajide
By Olasunkanmi Olajide & Joy Adeyiga
The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), today, April 7, 2026, held a One-Day Workshop for 26 beneficiaries of the Institutional Based Research (IBR), supported by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, emphasised the need for improved research quality, accountability, and strict adherence to global best practices during the execution of the project.
The Vice-Chancellor, whose address was delivered by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Olawale Dario, noted that the initiative was timely, as it aimed to sensitise Academic staff on expectations, standards, and best practices required for conducting impactful and credible research. He assured that such engagements would be institutionalised and held regularly, particularly during the presentation of research award letters, to ensure alignment with the University’s research culture.
Congratulating the beneficiaries, Prof. Kehinde also revealed plans to strengthen the University’s Monitoring and Evaluation Unit to enhance effective tracking and assessment of research performance.
Earlier, the Ag. Director, Directorate of Research, Innovations and Partnerships (DRIP), Dr. Oluwagbemiga Adeleye, stated that the Workshop was convened to address observed gaps in the IBR Programme over the years. He noted that while many research outputs had been commendable, challenges remained in areas such as compliance with required formats, reporting structures, and inclusion of key components in project documentation.
Dr. Adeleye explained that the Workshop was designed to clarify expectations, demonstrate appropriate reporting formats, and deepen recipients’ understanding of monitoring and evaluation processes.
He stressed the importance of proper documentation, noting that research reports must reflect credibility, structure, and alignment with established standards to enhance institutional visibility and recognition.
He observed the need for continuous monitoring throughout the lifecycle of research projects, rather than at the final stage, to improve outcomes and minimise last-minute challenges. On sustainability, he urged researchers to focus on producing impactful results that extend beyond the lifespan of funding, describing it as a core expectation of the IBR Programme.
Highlighting the focus of the Workshop, the Ag. Director identified three key pillars which were implementation framework, financial accountability, and reporting expectations, as essential for the successful execution of funded projects.
As part of the Workshop, Prof. Issac Ayelaagbe delivered a lecture on Research Conduct, while Prof. Helen Bodunde spoke on Data Integrity and Publications, equipping participants with practical knowledge for effective research implementation.
