Last Updated on October 29, 2026 by Olasunkanmi Olajide
… As the Institute Holds 2026/2027 Research Commencement Lecture
By Olaoye Oyewole
The Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research (IFSERAR), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has charged researchers to prioritise innovation, collaboration and the commercialisation of research findings to address agricultural challenges and strengthen food security in Nigeria.
The charge was given today, October 27, 2026, at the Institute’s 2026/2027 Research Commencement Lecture, where participants were urged to embrace research-driven solutions capable of improving agricultural productivity, alleviating poverty and enhancing nutrition.
Welcoming participants, the Director of IFSERAR, Prof. Kazeem Bello, appreciated the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, for his continued support for the Institute. He congratulated the researchers and encouraged them to pay close attention to the lectures, describing the programme as an opportunity to excel in their respective fields and make meaningful contributions to national development.
Delivering a lecture titled “The Future of IFSERAR,” Prof. Victor Olowe, a former Director of the Agricultural Media Resources and Extension Centre (AMREC), explained that the Institute was established to identify Nigeria’s agricultural problems and needs and conduct relevant research to address them. He highlighted its mandate to promote food security, alleviate poverty and enhance nutrition, noting that its research activities had covered crop production and other areas of agriculture.
Prof. Olowe called for the revitalisation of the Institute through strategic collaboration, innovation, commercialisation and sustainable research practices. He stressed that researchers must focus on critical agricultural challenges and ensure that research findings were effectively disseminated and translated into practical solutions accessible to farmers and other end users.
On maximising research impact, he emphasised the need to transform research outputs into marketable products, adding that adequate government funding and institutional support were essential to strengthening research capacity and accelerating the application of scientific discoveries.
In a separate lecture titled “Call to Service,” the former Ag. Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ololade Enikuomehin, stressed the importance of effective written and oral communication in academic and research engagements. He noted that scholarly work required patience, creativity and perseverance, urging researchers to demonstrate courage, compassion and professionalism in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Prof. Enikuomehin also charged researchers to uphold discipline, self-control, humility and sound moral values. He highlighted mentorship as a vital component of academic development, encouraging participants to learn from experienced scholars, pursue continuous improvement and aspire to higher professional achievements.
The question-and-answer session, moderated by Prof. Bamidele Oluwatosin, a former Director of IFSERAR, provided participants with further opportunities to engage with the speakers and gain additional insights into the future of agricultural research, professional development and the practical application of research findings.
#SDG2, #SDG4, #SDG17
