Last Updated on October 23, 2026 by Olasunkanmi Olajide
By Joy Adeyiga & David Johnson
The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, has charged University Administrators to embrace strategic leadership, innovation and professionalism to strengthen institutional growth, improve administrative efficiency and advance organisational excellence.
Prof. Kehinde, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Olusegun Idowu, gave the charge today, October 20, 2026, at the 2026 Day Celebration of the Association of Nigerian University Professional Administrators (ANUPA), FUNAAB Chapter, held at the Red Chamber of the University.
The Vice-Chancellor, who is the Grand Patron of ANUPA FUNAAB, reaffirmed the critical role of professional Administrators in promoting institutional stability, strengthening leadership and ensuring the effective implementation of university policies.
Earlier in his Welcome Address, the Chairman of ANUPA-FUNAAB Chapter, Mr. Adewale Ojoye urged University Administrators to move beyond routine clerical duties to become active contributors to institutional planning and decision-making. He emphasised the need for technological innovation, continuous professional development and strict adherence to ethical standards to remain relevant in the evolving University system.
Delivering a lecture titled “Beyond the Desk: Reimagining the Administrator as a Strategic Partner in Institutional Leadership,” Mr. Adebayo Ogundinmu called for a fundamental repositioning of university administration from a predominantly clerical function to a strategic partnership that supports institutional leadership and development.
Mr. Ogundinmu, a former Registrar of DS Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, noted that contemporary University Administrators must embrace advanced technology, critical thinking and data-driven decision-making while developing a comprehensive understanding of their institutions’ vision and mission. According to him, these competencies would equip Administrators to anticipate challenges, contribute meaningfully to policy implementation and support the attainment of institutional objectives.
He further underscored the importance of proactive engagement, professional competence and innovation in enabling administrators to respond effectively to emerging challenges and contribute to sustainable institutional development.
Highlights of the celebration included the presentation of an Award to the Guest Lecturer, Mr. Adebayo Ogundinmu; Leadership Awards to Mr. Moses Ayanda and Mrs. Oluwakemi Banuso; and Meritorious Service Awards to Mrs. Mopelola Olokode, Mr. Tijani Shehu and Mr. Olufemi Babatunde.
The celebration reinforced the evolving position of University Administrators as strategic partners in institutional leadership, highlighting professionalism, innovation, ethical conduct and continuous learning as essential pillars of effective university governance and sustainable institutional growth.
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