FUNAAB Celebrates Student’s National Grant Win, Urges Broader Participation in Innovation

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has recognised the achievement of one of its students, Mr. Oluwagbemiga Adeboye, following his emergence as a beneficiary of a highly competitive Federal Government-backed Student Venture Capital Grant.

Adeboye, a final-year student of Agricultural and Bio-Resources Engineering in the College of Engineering, secured the grant for his project, “Hybrid Solar Dryer for Postharvest Preservation,” positioning him among a select group of top student innovators nationwide.

The grant programme, organised by the Federal Ministry of Education, attracted more than 36,000 applications across the country, with only 63 finalists shortlisted and 45 ultimately awarded funding.

At a ceremony held in his honour, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, described the achievement as a reflection of innovation, resilience, and academic excellence. He commended the student’s efforts, alongside the contributions of mentors and institutional support structures that played a role in nurturing his idea.

He acknowledged the impact of key university units, including the Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies, the Career Services and Linkages Unit, the Employability and Benchmarking Committee, and the Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, noting their role in strengthening entrepreneurship and innovation among students.

The Vice-Chancellor also recognised the contributions of development partners such as the Tertiary Education Trust Fund and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit for supporting initiatives that enhance student employability and entrepreneurial exposure.

He further highlighted the role of structured entrepreneurship programmes in building student capacity, noting that such initiatives equip participants with the skills required to develop viable, market-driven solutions.

Describing the grant as more than financial support, he said it represents a validation of creativity and a call to scale ideas into impactful solutions. He encouraged the beneficiary to leverage the opportunity to address real-world challenges and contribute meaningfully to national development.

He also disclosed that the grant programme, supported by the Bank of Industry, is expected to reopen for applications in October, urging faculties, departments, and relevant centres to strengthen mentorship frameworks in preparation for increased participation.

Other speakers at the event emphasised the importance of accountability in the use of public funds and the need to translate innovative ideas into commercially viable solutions with measurable societal impact. They also called for sustained institutional support to ensure that student-led innovations can be effectively scaled.

In his response, Adeboye expressed appreciation to the university for providing a platform that enabled him to develop and showcase his innovation, while acknowledging the guidance and support of his mentors in achieving the milestone.