FUNAAB Announces Plan to Establish Wole Soyinka's Residence as Research Centre
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Prof Olusola Kehinde, has unveiled a significant initiative to repurpose the residence of Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka in Ijegba, Abeokuta, Ogun State, into a state-of-the-art library and writers' research hub.
Addressing concerns over the diminishing reading culture among Nigerian youth, Prof Kehinde expressed the university's commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at reversing this trend. He made these remarks during a recent courtesy visit by executives of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Ogun State chapter.
Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Olukayode Akinyemi, Prof. Kehinde outlined FUNAAB's forthcoming plans to establish a world-class bookshop. This initiative will complement the university's electronic library and include a 24-hour study facility, all aimed at fostering a culture of reading and research among students.
"FUNAAB does not joke with creativity, and it is in the process of transforming Professor Wole Soyinka's Ijegba residence into a Library and Writers' haven for research," Prof. Kehinde affirmed.
Dr. Chris Omotosho, Chairman of Ogun ANA, commended FUNAAB for its commitment to integrating culture into its educational curriculum, despite being primarily science-based. He particularly highlighted the innovative approach taken by the FUNAAB Theatre Group, emphasizing its potential to enhance students' understanding through graphic dramatization of information.
READ ALSO: LAUTECH Retains Top Spot as Best State Varsity in Nigeria
The initiative to repurpose Prof Wole Soyinka's residence reflects FUNAAB's dedication to academic excellence, research advancement, and the promotion of Nigerian cultural heritage. As plans unfold, the university remains steadfast in its mission to inspire intellectual curiosity and innovation among its students and faculty alike.
