Last Updated on December 22, 2025 by Olasunkanmi Olajide
By Femi Dansu
The Quality Control and Assurance Unit, Directorate of Academic Planning, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), today, December 17, 2025, held its maiden one-day capacity-building training workshop aimed at sensitising Academic Staff of the University to accelerate quality academic delivery.
Declaring the workshop open at the Prof. Olusola Oyewole Lecture Hall, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Olusegun Idowu, noted that the theme of the programme speaks directly to the universities as engines of knowledge, innovation and national development. He emphasised that quality academic delivery remains the foundation of sustainable development within the Nigerian university system, stressing the need for relevant curricula, effective teaching strategies and unwavering commitment to academic integrity.
The Vice-Chancellor charged that academic programmes must be continuously reviewed to respond to national priorities and global realities, while equipping students with critical thinking, problem-solving and entrepreneurial skills. He further stressed that teaching, research and community engagement must be aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adding that universities play critical roles in addressing food security, climate change, public health, poverty reduction and inclusive economic growth through impactful research and socially responsive graduates.
In his welcome address, the Head of the Quality Control and Assurance Unit, Prof. Saliu Amolegbe, described the Unit as a vital organ of the University responsible for maintaining quality across all phases of operations. He recalled that the merger of the Unit with the Directorate of Academic Planning, as directed by the Vice-Chancellor, was aimed at strengthening academic performance in line with National Universities Commission (NUC) requirements. According to him, the maiden Capacity Training Workshop was designed to equip academic staff, particularly newly recruited lecturers with essential professional competencies, ethics and understanding of FUNAAB culture. He appreciated representatives of colleges, units and centres, as well as members of the planning committee, for their support.
Delivering the keynote lecture titled “Building a Culture of Quality: Strengthening Institutional Systems for Excellence, Relevance, and Impact in Higher Education,” the Project Officer, Quality Assurance and Accreditation, Association of African Universities (AAU), Accra, Ghana, Prof. Adewale Obadina, described quality as a culture rather than a checklist or document. He explained that quality assurance involves systematic evaluation of institutions, facilities and programmes to ensure standards are met, sustained and improved, identifying External and Internal Quality Assurance systems as key mechanisms. He charged academic staff, as custodians of the University’s future, to uphold professionalism, ethics and continuous self-improvement in teaching, research and service.
During the technical sessions, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Olusegun Idowu, presented a paper on “Ethics of Standard Teaching and Examination Conduct: Imperative for Quality Assurance in the Nigerian University System,” highlighting integrity, fairness and accountability as pillars of credible higher education. He added that, in the age of Artificial Intelligence, ethical principles must be complemented with modern technological safeguards to sustain trust and global recognition of qualifications. A second technical session was delivered by a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Kola Adebayo, on “Paradigm Shift from Theories to Innovative and Commercialised Research,” where he outlined opportunities for institutional growth through innovative research, partnerships, exchanges and international collaborations.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of an award to the Vice-Chancellor in recognition of his support for quality assurance initiatives. Dignitaries at the workshop included the Pioneer Director, Quality Control and Assurance Unit, Prof. Segun Oladoye; Dean, COLPLANT, Prof. Bola Senjobi; Dean, COLAMRUD and Chairman, CODAD, Prof. Emmanuel Fakoya; Deputy Director, Academic Planning, Mr. Johnson Olukehinde; Chairman, TIMTEC, Prof. Pius Dada; alongside members of the Academic staff.
