FUNAAB and Nourished Choice Foods Sign MoU to Boost Food Production in Nigeria

In a strategic effort to address rising food costs and enhance food production, the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nourished Choice Foods (NCF), a Lagos-based food company led by FUNAAB alumnus, Mr. Olabode Orolu.

The MoU marks a significant step in a partnership designed to improve food production, distribution, and security in Nigeria. Speaking at the signing ceremony, FUNAAB’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Babatunde Kehinde, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration. He emphasized that while FUNAAB has partnered with numerous organizations, this partnership with a company led by an alumnus was particularly special. He urged Nourished Choice Foods to work closely with the University to combat food insecurity for the benefit of all Nigerians.

"FUNAAB is committed to integrity and transparency in all its partnerships. We believe this collaboration will not only address the rising costs of food but also promote sustainable agricultural practices," said Professor Kehinde. He further encouraged NCF to bring forward innovative ideas that would benefit the broader community and enhance agricultural productivity.

Mr. Olabode Orolu, Managing Director of NCF and a proud FUNAAB graduate, highlighted the significance of the partnership, which began as a conceptual idea in January 2024. He outlined the progress made so far, including the production of 1,000 broilers on FUNAAB’s farm. These birds are raised to reach a target weight of 2kg in just seven weeks. NCF handles processing, packaging, and storage of the broilers using FUNAAB’s facilities, after which the products are transported to Lagos and other markets.

In addition to poultry, the partnership also includes a fish production initiative. The program targets the monthly harvesting of fish, raised to 1kg over five months, for sale and distribution by NCF.

The Acting Director of the Directorate of University Farms (DUFARMS), Dr. Emmanuel Bankole, expressed his satisfaction with the progress. He confirmed that the first batch of 1,000 birds had been successfully processed, and the project had also reactivated one of the University’s ponds, now stocked with 1,000 fingerlings. Dr. Bankole highlighted the full utilization of FUNAAB’s Processing Unit, adding that students had been actively involved in the process, providing them with practical, hands-on agricultural experience.

Following the signing of the MoU, Mr. Orolu was taken on a tour of the Broiler Processing Unit by the Vice-Chancellor and Dr. Bankole. Mr. Ibrahim Ogunlusi, Chief Agricultural Officer at the facility, explained the processes involved in broiler breeding and processing. He proudly noted that the facility has been inspected and certified by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), further reinforcing the credibility and quality of the partnership.

This partnership between FUNAAB and Nourished Choice Foods marks a promising collaboration that not only aims to tackle food insecurity but also to create a lasting impact on the agricultural sector in Nigeria, providing practical opportunities for students while ensuring high-quality food production for the nation.