Chinese CG Visits FUNAAB, Pledges to Deepen Bilateral Cooperation in Education, Research, Others

By Olasunkanmi Olajide, Tofunmi Adebayo & Aduragbemi Oke

The Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Her Excellency, Ms. Yan Yuqing today, August 12, 2025, paid a historic visit to the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), with a strong pledge to deepen bilateral cooperation in education, research, development and culture.

Welcoming the Top Chinese Diplomat to campus, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, described the long-awaited visit, anticipated for about two years, as highly significant, given the robust and mutually beneficial ties between FUNAAB and China in agriculture, trade, commerce, culture, and education. He expressed appreciation for the numerous training programmes, academic exchanges, and capacity-building initiatives facilitated through Chinese partnerships, adding that the University aspires to establish a Chinese Language School to serve as a hub for language and cultural exchange for Ogun State and beyond.

Prof. Kehinde, who has visited China multiple times since 2010, commended the country’s development, innovation, and hospitality, and reaffirmed FUNAAB’s readiness to explore fresh avenues of collaboration to advance academic excellence, cultural understanding, and socio-economic growth.

In her remarks, Ms. Yuqing lauded FUNAAB’s serene environment, vast land resources, and agricultural potential. She pledged to strengthen linkages between the University and agricultural institutions in China, support research collaborations, facilitate seminars in Beijing and other cities, and enhance laboratory connections. She also reaffirmed commitment to the Chinese Training Centre at FUNAAB, aimed at promoting Chinese language, culture, and traditional medicine, while announcing plans to extend a charity programme in Ogun State to benefit low-income students and staff.

Reeling out proposed areas of collaboration, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Olukayode Akinyemi, commended China’s contributions, including training in green and solar energy, and reiterated FUNAAB’s openness to joint degree programmes, professional development for staff, Chinese language training, and partnerships in engineering, science, medicine, and student exchange. Describing Ms. Yuqing as “an Amazon” and a woman of integrity, he recalled her prompt fulfilment of four promises to him within a month.

Also speaking, Mr. Li Zhensheng, a Researcher with the China-Africa Economic and Trade Promotion Council (CAETPC), applauded FUNAAB’s agricultural strides and identified six priority areas for collaboration, which were food security, manufacturing, mineral resource development, oil and gas refining, trade services, and education. He further proposed linking FUNAAB’s clinic with Chinese medical practitioners, and partnering on mushroom cultivation and medicinal research.

The visit concluded with a guided tour of major University facilities, including the 3MW Hybrid Solar Station, the Greenhouse, and the Central Laboratories at the Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment (CEADESE).

Present at the meeting were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development, Prof. Olawale Dairo; Registrar, Dr. Titus Adeniyi; Bursar, Mr. Olukayode Osinuga; China-FUNAAB Desk Officer, Prof. Lawrence Egbeyale and the Germany-FUNAAB Desk Officer, Prof. Olufemi Ojo.

Others were Dr. Oluwagbemiga Adeleye; Dr. Oluwaseun Olarin; Mr. Johnson Olukehinde; Mrs. Olubusayo Oguntayo; and Mr. Adekunle Adebiyi, among others.

Her Excellency was also accompanied by the Director of Bilateral Relations of the Chinese Consul, Mr. Xu Fan; Protocol Officer, Mr. Haa Yihe; and Miss Su Ying.