FUNAAB Clarifies Mandatory Hospitality and Tourism Field Trips Following Radio Programme Claims

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) has dismissed claims made during a programme aired on Family FM 88.5, stating that the proposed field trip for students of the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management is not an optional excursion but a compulsory academic requirement for graduation.

In a statement issued by the university's Directorate of Public Relations, FUNAAB said comments made during the Yoruba morning programme "San an laaarin" on July 1, 2026, misrepresented the purpose of the planned field trip and could mislead parents, students and members of the public.

According to the university, the field trip forms part of the approved Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) curriculum in Hospitality and Tourism Management and is a mandatory component that every student must complete before graduation.

FUNAAB explained that the programme includes three compulsory field tour courses comprising the 200-level Local Tour, the 300-level Regional/National Tour and the 500-level International Tour. The tours are designed to complement classroom learning by exposing students to practical aspects of tourism operations, hospitality management, transportation systems, cultural heritage sites and destination management.

The university also clarified that students are currently on long vacation, with many participating in the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES). It noted that the proposed field trip is scheduled for September 2026 after the commencement of the new academic session, while the recent meeting with students and class representatives was simply part of routine planning for the exercise.

FUNAAB stated that its Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management has earned national recognition for its practical, industry-focused training model, attracting visits from other universities seeking to understudy its approach to tourism education and experiential learning.

According to the university, the planned itinerary for the upcoming national field trip includes visits to the Gateway International Airport, Iperu, hospitality establishments, transportation facilities, ecotourism destinations and other tourism attractions across Lagos and Ogun states, including La Campagne Tropicana. These visits are intended to provide practical knowledge of aviation, accommodation, transportation, ecotourism and destination management.

The institution further explained that students previously undertook international field trips to the Republic of Benin to gain practical experience in cross-border tourism, immigration procedures and international tour operations. However, the programme was reviewed due to security concerns and rising costs.

As a result, the department adopted alternative destinations within Nigeria that offer similar learning opportunities. Students have since visited Abuja and Ekiti State, where facilities such as the virtual tourism centre at Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort and other tourism destinations provide practical experiences consistent with the programme's academic objectives.

FUNAAB described it as unfortunate that a compulsory academic activity was presented as an optional excursion, warning that such misinformation could create unnecessary confusion among parents, guardians, prospective students and the general public.

The university reaffirmed its commitment to delivering quality education through globally competitive curricula that combine classroom instruction with practical field experience, while urging the public to disregard claims suggesting that the proposed field trip is anything other than a compulsory academic requirement for students of Hospitality and Tourism Management.