Last Updated on February 18, 2025 by Olasunkanmi Olajide
By Olasunkanmi Olajide & Patrick Erinoso
The high-powered delegation from The Bahamas on a week-long working visit to the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), led by His Excellency, Ambassador (Dr.) William John Godfrey Eneas, on February 13, 2025, explored the University’s cutting-edge research and agricultural advancements. The delegation toured key institutes and centres within the University, engaging with experts and gaining firsthand insight into FUNAAB’s contributions to food security, agricultural sustainability, and biotechnology.
The visit commenced at the Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources, and Agricultural Research (IFSERAR), where the delegation was warmly received by the Director, Prof. Olusegun Idowu, setting the stage for productive discussions. During the engagement, both parties acknowledged the significant role of women in agriculture, noting that women contribute a large percentage of farming activities.
The delegation was then guided on a tour of various agricultural hubs by Dr. John Oyedepo, who provided insights into FUNAAB’s livestock breeding initiatives. A key stop was the Optimisation of the Large Fulani Eco-Type Chicken Unit, where Prof. Kazeem Bello demonstrated ongoing research efforts aimed at improving indigenous poultry breeds. The team also visited the Kalahari Goat Hub before proceeding to Musarchy Farms, where they met the Director, FUNAAB Integrated Ventures (FIV), Mr. Olufisayo Amubode and they explored the cultivation of Habanero and Bell pepper.
At the Directorate of University Farms (DUFARMS), the delegation was received by the Ag. Director, Dr. Emmanuel Bankole, who showcased FUNAAB’s advanced agricultural machinery and farming technologies.
The tour extended to the Biotechnology Centre, where the Director, Prof. Olufunke Shittu, provided an overview of the centre’s history, mandates, and groundbreaking research. The visitors were then taken to the Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory, where Dr. Cecilia Ojesola briefed them on micro and macro propagation techniques that enhance crop productivity and sustainability.
The final stop was at the Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment (CEADESE), where the Director, Prof. Adeboye Fafiolu welcomed the delegates and provided an extensive tour of the research laboratories. The visitors were particularly impressed by the sophisticated equipment and the diverse cohort of international students engaged in innovative agricultural research at the centre.
Expressing appreciation, a member of the Bahamas delegation, Dr. Raveenia Roberts-Hanna, President of the Bahamas Agriculture & Marine Science Institute (BAMSI), lauded FUNAAB for its warm reception and insightful tour, commending the staff for their dedication to showcasing the University’s agricultural innovations. The delegation acknowledged FUNAAB’s contributions to global food security and pledged to foster future collaborations in agricultural research and development.
