Last Updated on January 3, 2025 by Olasunkanmi Olajide
Dear Members of the University Community,
As we usher in the year 2025, I extend warm greetings to every member of our esteemed University Community: staff, students, alumni, business owners and our cherished partners. Together, we have crossed into a new year filled with hope, opportunity, and the promise of even greater achievements.
The year 2024 was a remarkable chapter in FUNAAB’s story of excellence and impact. It was a year defined by significant milestones, strategic partnerships, and groundbreaking accomplishments.
We celebrated eight new academic programmes approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC), reaffirming our commitment to providing quality education tailored to the needs of the nation and beyond. NUC also recently concluded its evaluation of 18 academic programmes in FUNAAB, and we look forward to the positive outcomes of the process. Our research initiatives have continued to gain recognition, particularly through the TETFund-NRF projects, exemplifying our dedication to addressing real-world challenges.
The cultivation of Coffee Arabica seedlings and our collaborative agricultural projects with AUXANO, Harvestfield, NOLAP, WAFROEX, and Musarchy Farms, among others, including the procurement of modern farm machinery underscored our unwavering focus on sustainable agricultural innovation. These initiatives are not only shaping the future of agribusiness but also placing FUNAAB at the forefront of agricultural development in Nigeria.
The commissioning of a new branch of UNAAB Microfinance Bank (UMFB) at Camp/Apakila Junction and our selection as one of the 50 African universities for the China-Africa Hundred Universities Cooperation Plan, and paired with Lanzhou University further showcased our strides in fostering economic development and international collaboration. We emerged as the best University of Agriculture in Africa and the 7th in the world by Times Higher Education (THE) World Universities Ranking (WUR) and the 13th Best University among 274 universities in Nigeria. We also came 11th as Best Value University for international students by Study Abroad Aide.
These accomplishments would not have been possible without the unwavering dedication of our staff, the resilience of our students, the support of our alumni, and the trust of our stakeholders and partners. To each one of you, I say thank you. You are the heartbeat of FUNAAB, and your efforts have elevated our University to greater heights.
As we journey into 2025, I urge every member of this vibrant community to build on the momentum of the past year. Let us recommit to our shared vision of academic and research excellence, community engagement, and global relevance. Let us continue to innovate, collaborate, and inspire as we forge ahead.
This year, we aim to achieve even more through intensified research activities, strengthened partnerships, and enhanced welfare for staff and students. Our collective effort would further cement FUNAAB’s position as a beacon of excellence in agricultural education and innovation.
Together, let us embrace the opportunities of this new year with determination and optimism. Let us remain united in purpose, resilient in the face of challenges, and unwavering in our pursuit of greatness. May 2025 bring us renewed strength, greater achievements, and lasting fulfilment.
I wish you all a prosperous and impactful year.
Prof. Olusola Babatunde Kehinde, FGSN, FIHS, FASN
Vice-Chancellor
