… Signs MoU to Advance Beekeeping Research

By Olasunkanmi Olajide & Bamidele Odegbami

WAFROEX, a renowned agricultural export organisation focused on the export of high-quality West African agricultural products, further solidified its partnership with the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), today, September 10, 2024, by signing a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing beekeeping research, honey production, and apiculture development in Nigeria.

As part of the renewed collaboration, WAFROEX generously donated 70 Lyson Langstroth Beehives to FUNAAB to enhance the University’s apiculture projects. The partnership would focus on establishing a new joint apiary supported by grants in kind, bolstering research and practical application in beekeeping.

During the signing ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, expressed his appreciation for WAFROEX’s continued support and reaffirmed the University’s commitment to deepening the partnership for mutual growth in the beekeeping sector.

Responding, Mr. Samir Lababidi, leader of the WAFROEX Team, commended FUNAAB for its consistent dedication to the earlier collaboration, pledging to strengthen ties further to support the University’s apiculture initiatives.

In addition to research and production, the partnership would also introduce a certificate-based training programme, spearheaded by FUNAAB, aimed at equipping students, small-scale farmers, and other interested participants with practical knowledge in beekeeping and honey production.

Notable attendees at the event included the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Kola Adebayo; Ag. Registrar, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Dawodu; Ag. Bursar, Mr. Olukayode Osinuga, and Prof. Adebola Osipitan, alongside other team members of WAFROEX, who were Mr. Abdulrahman Shomala and Mr. Abubakri Shomala.