The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), announced that it produced 122 students with First Class Honours Degrees for its 31st Convocation Ceremony.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Olusola Kehinde revealed various distinctions, including 1,540 in the Second Class Upper Division, 1,705 in the Second Class Lower Division, and 187 with Third Class Degrees.
Speaking at a press conference to mark the commencement of the 31st convocation ceremony, the VC stated that a total of 3,574 students received Bachelor’s Degrees across various disciplines, with an additional 20 earning Veterinary Medicine Degrees.
Prof. Kehinde emphasized the institution’s potential to contribute significantly to national food security if key measures are implemented.
He identified challenges such as a paucity of funds, theft of farm produce, inadequate manpower, and a lack of necessary equipment as threats to food security in Nigeria.
Prof. Kehinde outlined FUNAAB’s commitment to revitalizing the agriculture sector on a commercial scale.
He mentioned that with 10,200 hectares of land at its disposal, the university aims to collaborate with the government and corporate organizations to address challenges of food scarcity.
The Vice Chancellor highlighted initiatives, including the reactivation of a staff farming scheme and the production of plantain suckers, fish fingerlings, broilers, and rabbits in commercial quantities.
The FUNAAB Integrated Ventures and Wood Processing Unit have been strengthened, and plans are underway to establish a saw-milling plant.
Prof. Kehinde shared the university’s global recognition, ranking as the best University of Agriculture in Africa and 7th globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) 2024 World University Rankings.
Additionally, Study Abroad Aide (SAA) ranked FUNAAB as the 11th Best Valued University for International Students among 149 Nigerian universities.
According to him, in the past year, FUNAAB has made significant strides, establishing committees like the Conflict Resolution and Policy Advisory Committee, Career Services and Linkages Unit, and the University–Wide Equipment Maintenance Unit.
He mentioned that the institution has intensified research activities, securing substantial grants and actively participating in the TETFund-sponsored 2023 TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research (TETFAIR) Programme, where two innovations—ANimeDRrig and Nimtrack—earned recognition among over 2,400 submissions from higher institutions nationwide.
