Last Updated on November 14, 2025 by Olasunkanmi Olajide
By Olaoye Oyewole & Bolanle Olawepo
The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), in collaboration with the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) and Ajogbe Agro Allied Industry, has unveiled the remarkable achievements of the African Agriculture Knowledge Transfer Partnership (AAKTP) project. Themed “Developing Cost-Effective Nutritive Feeds from Locally Available Crop Residues and Agricultural By-Products for Livestock in Southwest Nigeria,” the project represented a major stride in sustainable livestock production and innovation-driven agriculture.
The event brought together key stakeholders from academia, industry, and government to highlight the outcomes of the two-year research collaboration focused on addressing livestock feed challenges, enhancing productivity, and promoting technology transfer in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Olawale Dairo, lauded the Project Team for translating research into tangible solutions. He noted that the tripartite collaboration, linking Africa and Europe with active private sector involvement, clearly reflects FUNAAB’s growing reputation for applied research and problem-solving innovation.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, “This partnership goes beyond theory; it is practical, impactful, and results-oriented. It exemplifies the synergy between academia, industry, and government, the true catalyst for meaningful change.”
Earlier in his Welcome Address, the Project Team Lead, AAKTP, Prof. Adebayo Shittu of FUNAAB, described the collaboration as a landmark initiative that effectively bridges the gap between research and industrial application. He emphasised that by connecting institutions across two continents, the United Kingdom and Nigeria, the project had created sustainable pathways for livestock feed development, while also addressing broader issues such as farmers and herders’ conflict and feed scarcity.
Speaking on behalf of Ajogbe Agro Allied Industry, the Executive Chairman, Engr. Bosoye Olalere, shared insights into the company’s integrated livestock and crop production model. He revealed that the partnership had significantly enhanced Ajogbe’s technical capacity to produce quality ruminant feed using locally available agricultural by-products.
“Through this collaboration, we now possess commercial-level expertise in feed production, which strengthens our mission to build a viable beef ecosystem in Southwest Nigeria,” Engr. Olalere stated.
He explained that Ajogbe’s operational framework encompasses five interlinked components which were cattle breeding, feed production, crop cultivation, processing, and logistics, all geared towards creating a self-sustaining livestock value chain. He further noted that the collaboration had exposed the company to innovative breeding and feeding techniques that improve cattle weight and feed conversion efficiency.
Delivering a Goodwill Message, Prof. Christian Harrison of the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) underscored the importance of academia–industry collaboration in shaping 21st-century leadership and driving economic growth through innovation.
In the same vein, the Programme Manager, Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme (OGADEP), Alhaji Akinlawon Olalekan, who represented the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, hailed the initiative as “a refreshing shift from traditional research practices.” He commended the partnership for effectively linking research outcomes with real-world applications, reducing the burden on government in translating research into practice.
“This project has created a seamless connection between researchers and end users. It is a model worth replicating across Nigeria,” he affirmed, assuring the State’s readiness to collaborate on similar initiatives.
The FUNAAB–UWS –AJOGBE partnership stands as a shining example of how cross-continental collaboration and private sector participation can transform agricultural research into sustainable business solutions that are advancing food security, innovation, and rural prosperity across Nigeria.
