Last Updated on November 15, 2026 by Olasunkanmi Olajide
By Olasunkanmi Olajide & Femi Dansu
The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has received glowing commendation from Teach for Nigeria (TFN) for its resilience, institutional sagacity and remarkable improvements in facilities and service delivery, following the successful hosting of the organisation’s 2026 Pre-Service Training Institute (PSTI). Both institutions have also expressed optimism about a stronger and more productive partnership in 2027.
The commendation was conveyed during a courtesy visit by the Teach for Nigeria delegation to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde today, November 13, 2026, to review the 2026 training experience, acknowledge the University’s institutional support and discuss strategic measures to enhance collaboration ahead of the 2027 edition.
Speaking during the visit, TFN Programmes Director, Ms. Bosede Ogidan, said the engagement provided an opportunity to assess the programme’s successes and challenges, receive feedback from Fellows, school leaders and staff, and review the existing Service Level Agreement (SLA) to strengthen operational efficiency. She conveyed the appreciation of the organisation’s Chief Executive Officer to FUNAAB Management for hosting approximately 600 participants.
Ms. Ogidan particularly commended the University’s ability to respond to operational challenges and improve its facilities, describing the progress recorded in 2026 as significant compared with the previous year. She highlighted improvements in accommodation, room allocation, ventilation, lighting, water supply, sanitation, drainage and maintenance response, which contributed to a more comfortable experience for participants.
She also applauded the University’s lecture halls and classrooms for their suitability for academic and practical learning activities, acknowledging the availability of projectors, sound systems, air-conditioning and technical support, particularly at the Prof. Olusola Oyewole 1,000-seater Auditorium. The TFN Director further commended the technical team, security personnel and other support units for their prompt response, effective coordination and assistance with participants’ arrivals, movements and training activities.
In his response, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kehinde, expressed appreciation to Teach for Nigeria for its confidence in FUNAAB, describing the relationship as a rewarding public-private partnership through which both institutions contribute to educational advancement and national development. Reflecting on the 2026 experience, he highlighted the importance of institutional sagacity, strategic foresight and continuous improvement in overcoming operational challenges, noting that Management had identified previous shortcomings and deliberately initiated measures to address them.
He expressed satisfaction that the University’s proactive response had translated into measurable improvements, as acknowledged by the visiting delegation, stressing that the positive feedback demonstrated FUNAAB’s determination to learn from experience, adapt to changing expectations and continually raise its standards. He added that although public institutions operate within peculiar administrative and operational realities, FUNAAB remained conscious of its partners’ service expectations and committed to providing quality facilities and dependable institutional support.
Prof. Kehinde commended Teach for Nigeria for its intervention in strengthening educational quality through teacher development, describing its vision as timely and essential to addressing persistent concerns about teaching and learning outcomes in Nigeria. He affirmed that FUNAAB was proud to contribute its facilities, expertise and institutional resources to the organisation’s educational mission, stressing that successful partnerships should be measured not only by institutional achievements but also by the positive experiences of partners.
Looking towards 2027, the Vice-Chancellor reaffirmed Management’s commitment to sustaining the partnership, leveraging the lessons of 2026 and ensuring that the next edition benefits from better planning, enhanced facilities and more responsive service delivery. He noted that the University’s aspiration was to be recognised through the positive testimonies of organisations benefiting from its services, describing TFN’s commendation as a welcome endorsement of FUNAAB’s institutional capacity and commitment to excellence.
Discussions on the proposed 2027 Pre-Service Training Institute focused on strengthening the existing SLA, particularly in accommodation, water supply, learning facilities, catering and medical services. Other priority areas identified for further improvement included creche facilities, transportation, security arrangements, maintenance, logistics and more effective coordination of training activities.
Ms. Ogidan emphasised the importance of clearly defined service standards, proactive planning and shared accountability, expressing confidence that a strengthened partnership framework would deliver an improved experience for Fellows, facilitators and other participants in 2027.
The meeting underscored FUNAAB’s capacity to transform challenges into opportunities for institutional growth through strategic leadership, adaptability and continuous improvement. It also reinforced the University’s determination to remain a dependable partner to organisations committed to education, human capital development and national transformation.
The Teach for Nigeria delegation comprised Mr Zwalle Yusuf, Operations Director; Mr Jonathan Obiaraije, Head of Training; Mr. Richard Adefusi, Head of RSM; and Mr. Segun Ogundairo, Placement Coordinator. FUNAAB Management officials at the meeting included the Dean, College of Biosciences (COLBIOS), Prof. Iyabode Kehinde; Dean, Student Affairs, Prof. Festus Adeosun; Principal Assistant Registrar, Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Mr Adekunle Adebiyi and the University Legal Officer, Mrs Olanrewaju Tanimowo, among others.
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