Last Updated on April 30, 2025 by Olasunkanmi Olajide

By Olasunkanmi Olajide

The Governing Council of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), led by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, Odundun IV, Asoludero, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji Land, has commenced a Strategic Retreat at the La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Lagos. Themed “Strategic Growth, Innovation, and Partnership,” the Retreat was aimed at redefining the roadmap for the University’s future development.

The Retreat opened with a Technical Session anchored by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, who delivered a keynote presentation titled “Strategic Review and Performance Assessment of the University.” He spotlighted FUNAAB’s institutional strengths and opportunities, particularly in research, innovation, and global rankings, while calling for renewed commitment from Council members to the University’s advancement.

Prof. Kehinde remarked, “As ambassadors of change for Renewed Hope, we pledge to carry forward the torch of progress, leveraging our expertise, resources, and networks to address the challenges that lie ahead. Together, we will continue to strive for excellence, innovation, and inclusivity, ensuring that agriculture remains a cornerstone of our nation’s prosperity and well-being.”

The second Technical Session featured a lecture titled “University Governance in the 21st Century: The Role of Council” by former Minister of Health and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), Prof. Isaac Adewole. He was represented by Prof. Adeyinka Aderinto, a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of UI.

In his presentation, Prof. Adewole outlined the core attributes of a world-class university, which include highly qualified staff, excellence in research and teaching, and diversified funding from both government and non-government sources. Others he mentioned were world-class facilities, a vibrant international student body, autonomous governance structures, a stable academic calendar, and globally recruited staff.

Rounding off the sessions was a presentation by Prof. Oladapo Afolabi, former Head of Service of the Federation and Chairman of the Technical Sessions. In his paper titled “Principles of Governance,” he called for a reimagining of Nigeria’s university funding model. He advocated a blended strategy that included private sector engagement, increased research funding, and improved administrative systems to strengthen higher education and position universities as drivers of national development.

The Retreat drew active participation from both internal and external members of the Council, as well as some staff of the Council Affairs, marking a significant step towards FUNAAB’s strategic repositioning.

SDG8, #SDG9, #SDG16, #SDG17

Pictures are attached below 👇