By Olasunkanmi Olajide & Joy Adeyiga
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has commended the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), for its growing national and global impact, describing the institution as a critical driver of Nigeria’s food security, youth empowerment and economic transformation.
The President gave the commendation on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at FUNAAB’s 33rd Convocation Ceremony, where 4,141 students were awarded Degrees, marking another milestone in the University’s contribution to national development.
Delivering the Convocation Address on behalf of the President, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, said the ceremony went beyond academic celebration, underscoring FUNAAB’s strategic importance to Nigeria’s agricultural modernisation agenda.
President Tinubu applauded the University’s consistent leadership in agricultural education, innovation and research, noting its continental and global recognition, including its ranking as the Best University of Agriculture in Africa and seventh globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) 2024 rankings. He also highlighted FUNAAB’s placement among the world’s top ten institutions for teaching skills and its first-place ranking in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) performance in 2024.
According to the President, institutions like FUNAAB remain central to addressing pressing national and global challenges such as food insecurity, climate change, population growth and economic volatility. He stressed that education, research and innovation must continue to underpin Nigeria’s drive for sustainable development, rural transformation and inclusive growth.
The President urged the University to sustain its leadership role by deepening innovation, strengthening research output and producing graduates equipped with the skills and mindset to drive national productivity in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In a related address, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, represented by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, commended FUNAAB for producing disciplined, innovative and globally competitive graduates. He described the convocation theme, “Integrating Agriculture and Youth Development: A New Paradigm for the Nigerian Education System,” as timely and aligned with the Federal Government’s vision of education as a catalyst for economic productivity, job creation and sustainable food systems.
The Minister also acknowledged the leadership of the University Management, led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, and the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, Odundun IV, Aragbiji of Iragbiji Land. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting higher education through interventions such as TETFund and the Student Loan Scheme.
Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor congratulated the graduating students and disclosed that FUNAAB recorded its highest matriculation intake in 38 years, with 6,356 students admitted for the 2025/2026 academic session. He added that the University is ranked as Nigeria’s second-best federal University in graduate employability, citing programme expansion, leadership-focused short courses and recent recruitment of Academic and Non-Teaching staff to strengthen capacity.
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor highlighted major achievements recorded in the past year, including the European Union-funded AGRECOFARM Hydroponic Technology Workshop, a top-10 global finish by the FUNAAB ANiMeDRig team at the Hack4Livestock Hackathon, and the completion of a 3MW Hybrid Solar Power Project. He also noted significant research breakthroughs and the attraction of ₦93.6 million in TETFund research grants, alongside two National Research Fund awards.
Speaking on behalf of the graduating class, the Overall Best Graduating Student, Miss Joy Osianor of the Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Food Science and Human Ecology (COLFHEC), expressed gratitude to her lecturers and parents and urged her peers to remain hopeful, innovative and committed to excellence.
The ceremony attracted dignitaries from government, academia and industry, including the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, among others.
