The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State (FUNAAB) was established on January 1, 1988 by the Federal Government when four Universities of Technology, earlier merged in 1984, were demerged. This led to the creation of the first two Universities of Agriculture in Abeokuta and Makurdi.

On the same date, Professor Nurudeen Olorun-Nimbe Adedipe was appointed the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the University. Professor Adedipe officially assumed duty on January 28, 1988. For many years the date which Professor Adedipe assumed duty was wrongly adopted as the foundation day of the University. Following a revisit to the instrument setting up the University, a Council decision at its 53rd Statutory meeting in June 2010 reverted the foundation date to January 1st 1988 as prescribed by the law which established the University.

Prior to the emergence of UNAAB, the Federal Government had established the Federal University of Technology, Abeokuta (FUTAB) in 1983. Then, in 1984, it was merged with the University of Lagos and had its name changed to the College of Science and Technology, Abeokuta (COSTAB), before the demerger of January, 1988.

The University started off from the old Campus of Abeokuta Grammar School, Isale-Igbein near the city centre. It completed its movement to its Permanent Site along Alabata Road in 1997, in what has been termed the fastest pace of Permanent Site development in the history of Nigerian University System.

At the initial stage, five Colleges were introduced in the University in October 1988 as follows:

* College of Agricultural Management, Rural Development and Studies (COLAMRUD)
* College of Animal Science and Livestock Production (COLANIM)
* College of Environmental Resources Management (COLERM)
* College of Natural Sciences (COLNAS)
* College of Plant Science and Crop Production (COLPLANT)

Two additional Colleges, College of Engineering (COLENG) and College of Veterinary Medicine (COLVET) were introduced in March, 2002. During 2008/2009 session, the College of Agricultural Management, Rural Development and Consumer Studies was split into two with two new Colleges emerging as follows:

* College of Food Science and Human Ecology (COLFHEC)
* College of Agricultural Management and Rural Development (COLAMRUD)

One additional College, College of Management Sciences was also introduced. College of Natural Sciences (COLNAS) was split into two with two new Colleges emerging as follows:

* College of Biological Sciences (COLBIOS)
* College of Physical Sciences (COLPHYS)

GOVERNING COUNCILS
The first Council was constituted on May 18, 1989 under the chairmanship of Alhaji Muhammadu Jega, former Head of Service and Secretary to the Sokoto State Government. On September 1, 1990, the Council was reconstituted with some changes for 5 years with Alhaji Muhammadu Jega retained as Chairman.

The second Governing Council was constituted in 2000 for five years, with Alhaji Sanni Bagiwa Idris as Chairman. The third Council came on board in 2005 and was dissolved in November, 2007 by the Federal Government. Elder Brigadier General (Rtd.) Bassey Asuquo, a one-time Military Administrator of Kogi, Edo and Delta States respectively, was the Chairman.
The fourth council was constituted in January 2009 with Mr. Raphael Oluwole Osayameh as Chairman. He was thereafter replaced by Chief Lawrence Ayinde Osayemi as Chairman of Council.

The fifth council was constituted in April 2013 and was dissolved in April 2017 by Federal Government. Sen. Adeseye Ogunlewe was Pro-Chancellor & Chairman of Council

The sixth council was constituted in May 2017 and was dissolved in March 2022. Barr Dr. Aboki Zhawa was the immediate past Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council.

The seventh council was constituted in 8th September 2022 with Alhaji Umar Ahmed as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council. Click HERE for the list of FUNAAB Council Members

CHANCELLORS
Since inception, UNAAB has had four Chancellors. They are His Royal Highness Alhaji Kabir Umar, the Emir of Katagum in Bauchi State. He was appointed in 1989. Next was His Royal Highness Oba Adeyinka Oyekan, the Oba of Lagos (now late). He served for a brief period from 2001-2003. The third Chancellor was His Royal Majesty, Obi (Prof.) Joseph Chike Edozien, the Asagba of Asaba in Delta State, a renowned and retired Professor of Medicine of the University of Ibadan. The current Chancellor is His Royal Eminence, Edidem, Ekpo Okon (Abasi Otu V, The Obong of Calabar).

VICE-CHANCELLORS
The foundation Vice-Chancellor was Professor Nurudeen Adedipe, who served for two terms of four years each: January 8, 1988 to December 31 1991 and January 1, 1992 to December 31, 1995.

The second Vice-Chancellor was Professor Julius Amioba Okojie, who acted from January 1, 1996 till September 2, 1996 when he became a substantive Vice-Chancellor and served for one term of five year which ended on 31st August,. 2001. The third Vice-Chancellor was Professor Israel Folorunso Adu, who served from September 1, 2001 to August 31, 2006.

Professor Ishola Adamson acted as Vice-Chancellor from September 1, 2006 till May 23, 2007.
The fourth Vice-Chancellor was Professor Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun who served from May 24, 2007 till May 23, 2012.
The fifth Vice-Chancellor was Professor Olusola Bandele Oyewole who served from May 24, 2012 till May 23, 2017.
Professor Ololade Ade Enikuomehin acted as Vice-Chancellor from May 24, 2017 till October 31, 2017. The sixth Vice-Chancellor was Professor Felix Kolawole Salako. who served from November 1, 2017 till October 31, 2022.
Professor Olusola Babatunde Kehinde acted as Vice-Chancellor from November 1, 2022 till 31st March, 2023. He assumed duties as the seventh Substantive Vice-Chancellor on 1st April, 2023.

DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLORS

FUNAAB has had Eighteen Deputy Vice-Chancellors to date. They are:

(i) Professor G. M. Babatunde: 1st September, 1994
(ii) Professor Julius Okojie: 1st October, 1994 to 31st December, 1995
(iii) Professor I. F. Adu: December, 2000 (2 terms)
(iv) Professor T.O. Tayo: 7th December, 2000 to 6th December, 2004 (2 terms)
(v) Professor A.R.T. Solarin: 7th December, 2004 to 6th December, 2006.
(vi) Professor I.C. Eromosele, DVC (Academic): 14th September, 2007 to 17th September, 2009.
(vii) Professor O.J. Ariyo, DVC (Development): 14th September, 2007 to 17th September, 2009.
(viii) Professor S.T.O Lagoke, DVC (Development): 18th September, 2009 to 17th September, 2011.
(ix) Professor C.F.I Onwuka, DVC (Academic): 18th September, 2009 to 17th September, 2011.
(x) Professor T.A. Arowolo, DVC (Academic): 18th September, 2011 to 1st January, 2014.
(xi) Professor F.K. Salako, DVC (Development): 18th September, 2011 to 6th January, 2016 (2 terms).
(xii) Professor M.A. Waheed, DVC (Academic): 1st January, 2014 to 6th January, 2016.
(xiii) Professor O.A. Enikuomehin, DVC (Development): 7th January, 2016 to 23rd May, 2017.
(xiv) Professor (Mrs.) C.O. Eromosele, DVC (Academic): 7th January, 2016 to 6th January, 2018.
(xv) Professor L.O. Sanni, DVC (Development): November, 2017 to November, 2019.
(xvi) Professor (Mrs.) M.A. Dipeolu, DVC (Academic): 7th January, 2018 to 6th January, 2020.
(xvii) Professor C.O. Adeofun DVC (Development): November, 2019 till 5th November, 2021.
(xviii) Professor B.I. Akeredolu-Ale DVC (Academic): 7th January, 2020 till 6th January, 2022.
(xix) Professor O.B. Kehinde DVC (Development): 7th November, 2021 till 31st October, 2022.
(xx) Professor C.O.N. Ikeobi DVC (Academic): 8th January, 2022 till 7th January, 2024.
(xxi) Professor K. Adebayo DVC (Development): 2nd May, 2023 till date.
(xxii) Professor O. D. Akinyemi DVC (Academic): 8th January, 2024 till date

OTHER PRINCIPAL OFFICERS

FUNAAB has had three Registrars,three Bursars and two University Librarians to date, respectively. Mrs. C.A. Soboyejo was the first Registrar, from 1st October, 1989 to 30th June, 1998. She was succeeded by Mr. A. Oyerinde, who acted as Registrar from June 1998 till 19th September, 2000 before he became the substantive Registrar on 20th September, 2000 till his retirement in 2011. Mr. O.A. Adeboye and Mrs. C.B. Kuforiji acted as Registrar for some months after Mr. Oyerinde’s retirement. Mr. Mathew Odunlade Ayoola served as Registrar between 1st June, 2012 and 31st May, 2017. Dr. Mrs. Linda Onwuka acted as Registrar from June 1, 2017 till October 2, 2017. The Immediate Past Registrar is Dr. Hakeem Adebola Adekola. who served from October 3, 2017 till 30th September, 2023. The Present Ag. Registrar is Mrs. Oluwatoyin Morufat Dawodu.

Mr. S.T. Osamiluyi, the first Bursar, served from 1st October, 1989 to 17th October, 1999. He was succeeded by Rev. E.A. Ajayi and Mr. M.O. Ilesanmi respectively. Mrs. Oluremi O. Oyewunmi acted Bursar from July 2016 till October, 15, 2017. The Immediate Past Bursar is Mr. Chukwunwike Ezekpeazu who served from 16th October, 2017 till 15th August, 2023. The Present Ag. Bursar is Mr. Olukayode Osinuga FCA.

Dr. T.M. Salisu, the first University Librarian came on board and served from 4th February, 1991 to 3rd February, 2001. After his tenure were Mr. A.A. Agboola and Dr. (Mrs.) Mulikat Salaam. Also, Prof. (Mrs.) Fehintola Onifade served from 7th June 2018 till 6th June 2023. The present University Librarian is Dr. Abayomi Kehinde Owolabi.