Last Updated on November 27, 2025 by Olasunkanmi Olajide
By Olasunkanmi Olajide & Joy Adeyiga
The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta FUNAAB reaffirmed its position as a national leader in youth development, innovation, and industry responsive education as it hosted its maiden Skill Driven Career Fair in partnership with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the Skills Development for Youth Employment (SKYE II) Programme, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented in Nigeria by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ).
The Opening Session of the Two-Day event, held today, November 25, 2025, at the Professor Oluwafemi Balogun Ceremonial Building, drew a vibrant mix of students, policymakers, industry leaders, innovators, and alumni for strategic conversations on the future of work.
With the theme, “Bridging the Divide: The Skill-Driven Career Fair,” the initiative showcased FUNAAB’s leadership in redefining higher education to meet the demands of a fast-changing labour market. Activities included prototype pitching, skills seminars, interactive exhibitions, a Resume Clinic, and high-level industry dialogues designed to equip students with practical competencies and access to employment and entrepreneurship pathways.
In his Opening Address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, described the Fair as a milestone in FUNAAB’s drive to produce globally competitive graduates. He noted that the University has continued to lead nationally in embedding innovation, industry perspectives, and hands-on skills into academic training. According to him, “Education must go beyond theoretical teaching to inspire students to lead, innovate and excel in a dynamic global economy.”
Prof. Kehinde commended the University’s long-standing collaboration with government and industry, which strengthens the Triple-Helix Model. He recalled that FUNAAB was among the first institutions nationwide to establish a functional Career Services Unit following a national directive.
He further appreciated the guest speakers, Engr. Ayodeji Omojola and Engr. Adesegun Fatoki, while acknowledging the support of the German Government and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) for transformative programmes such as SKYE II and the ICSS–SEDIN entrepreneurship initiative implemented by GIZ.
The Vice-Chancellor also applauded the Employability and Benchmarking Committee chaired by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Olukayode Akinyemi, with Prof. Iyabode Kehinde as Alternate Chairperson. Declaring the Fair open, he urged students to be bold, proactive, and future-ready.
Speaking on behalf of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Olawale Dairo, stressed that graduate employability remains a cornerstone of national development. He noted that employers now prioritise digital competencies, problem-solving abilities, ethical grounding, and adaptability, attributes FUNAAB consistently nurtures through its practical training ecosystem, SIWES, entrepreneurship programmes, and digital skills initiatives.
Prof. Dairo also highlighted the impact of the GIZ ICSS Programme, which equips FUNAAB students with digital, entrepreneurial, and innovation-driven skills, empowering them not only to secure jobs but to create them.
In a Goodwill Message, the Ogun State Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Hon. Adeola Sofela, commended FUNAAB for driving an agenda that prepares young people for self-reliance and urged students to take advantage of emerging opportunities within the evolving innovation ecosystem.
Delivering a lecture titled, “Beyond the Degree: Navigating the World of Work,” Engr. Ayodeji Omojola charged students to understand the demands of the modern workplace, cultivate employable attitudes, and maximise the Fair as a launching pad for purposeful career development.
Earlier, the Head of CSLU, Dr. Matthew Oose emphasised that the Career Fair extends beyond job placement. He described it as a platform that celebrates skills, diversity, inclusion, and FUNAAB’s unwavering commitment to producing agile, industry-ready graduates.
A wide array of partner organisations graced the event, including Wafroex, Harvestfield, Assetrise, CWAY Nigeria Dairy Industries, 720Degree Technology Ltd., Nourished Choice, Jubaili Agrotech, Dizengoff, and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), among others.
Also present were the President, Ogun State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA), Lion Rafiu Oshiyemi; CWAY’s Head of Operations, Mr. Pavankumah Supase; Wafroex Genereal Manager, Alhaji Abdulrahman Shomala; and Engr. Adesegun Fatoki of the Ogun State Job Centre. Meanwhile, an Industry–Academia Roundtable was later held at the Red Chamber, culminating in the issuance of a communiqué.
With the successful hosting of its maiden Career Fair, FUNAAB has once again demonstrated national leadership in skills development, employability enhancement, and transformative partnerships, setting a benchmark for institutions across Nigeria.
