Last Updated on April 24, 2025 by Olasunkanmi Olajide

… As FUNAAB Holds 37th Congregation Meeting

By Olasunkanmi Olajide & Emeka Oluka

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, has disclosed that construction has commenced on residential quarters for the Registrar, Bursar, and the University Librarian, with plans to build for the Deputy Vice-Chancellors in the near future. He revealed that the projects were being funded through the University’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), as part of efforts to expand the campus residential outlook.

The Vice-Chancellor made this known today, April 23, 2025, while addressing members of the Congregation during the 37th Congregation Meeting held at the Prof. Oluwafemi Balogun Ceremonial Building.

The Vice-Chancellor further revealed that the University was exploring policies to introduce a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) housing scheme for staff, as part of broader efforts to make the campus more residential.

Reaffirming FUNAAB’s global reputation, Prof. Kehinde described the University as a household name across the world. He appreciated staff members for their dedication and encouraged them to continue to uphold excellence in service delivery to sustain FUNAAB’s growing reputation.

Highlighting recent infrastructural strides, he commended the ongoing upgrade of the Camp-Alabata Road—once a “near-death trap,” now being transformed into a semi-expressway. He added that the road to the Prof. Oluwafemi Balogun Ceremonial Building has been newly tarred, while plans were underway to rehabilitate the IFSERAR-Mawuko Road.

On academic development, the Vice-Chancellor announced the approval of new Departments and reiterated that the University Senate was considering the restructuring of the College of Physical Sciences (COLPHYS) into two separate entities, the original COLPHYS and a proposed College of Computing Sciences. He also noted that efforts were ongoing to reinstate Management Sciences programmes under the College of Entrepreneurial Development Studies (COLENDS).

Speaking on partnerships, Prof. Kehinde reported a high volume of collaboration requests from both local and international institutions. He assured the Congregation that only those partnerships that align with the University’s vision and objectives would be approved after careful evaluation.

The Vice-Chancellor also spoke on other notable developments under his leadership, including the purchase of new official vehicles for Deans of Colleges, continuous construction and renovation of buildings, and the recent recognition of FUNAAB as the Best University of Agriculture in Africa and 7th Best in the World in its category.

Earlier in the meeting, elections were held to appoint Congregation Representatives to the Governing Council and other key University committees.

Following the voting exercise, Prof. Abdul Lateef Shotuyo emerged as the Congregation Representative for Academic Staff on Council, while Mr. Olujinmi Ogundimu was elected as the representative for Non-Teaching Staff. Prof. Olusegun Oduwaye was elected to represent the Congregation on the Board of Survey.

For the FUNAAB Schools Management Board, Dr. Tolulope Kehinde was elected, while Dr. Segun Oshadare emerged as the Congregation’s representative on the Budget Monitoring Committee.

In the same vein, Mr. Olajide Obanla was elected to the Physical Planning and Capital Works Committee, and Mrs. Adedoyin Animasahun was returned unopposed as the Congregation Representative on the Ceremonials Committee.

Elected as Congregation Representatives on Senate were Dr. Adeniyi Egbetade, Dr. O.T.H. Hamzat-Akinwande, Dr. Ola Oyedele, and Dr. Olukunle Adeyoyin.