FUNAAB College of Plant Science and Crop Production Hosts Maiden Lecture on Academic Leadership and Followership

The Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB) marked a significant academic milestone as its College of Plant Science and Crop Production (COLPLANT) held its maiden Lecture Series on February 18, 2026.

The lecture, themed “Complexities of Academic Leadership and Followership: Nexus for Success,” brought together staff, students, and distinguished guests for a robust intellectual engagement focused on strengthening institutional systems and governance culture.

Delivering the inaugural lecture, Prof. Francis Abayomi Showemimo, Head of the Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Technology (PBST), examined the interdependent dynamics of leadership and followership within academic institutions. He emphasized that institutional success hinges on the optimal utilization of financial, infrastructural, informational, and, most critically, human resources. According to him, transparency, empathy, emotional intelligence, and structured mentorship systems are central to sustainable academic excellence.

In his opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, described the theme as timely and strategic, particularly for newly employed and existing staff. He stressed that institutional transformation must begin internally, urging diligence, discipline, and punctuality in service delivery. He further challenged staff to uphold the legacy of responsible leadership and principled followership that has sustained FUNAAB’s national and international standing.

The Vice-Chancellor also acknowledged members of the Abeokuta Club for their presence, noting that their participation reinforced the University’s Town-and-Gown relationship. He charged the academic community to project leadership excellence beyond Nigeria’s borders, sustaining the governance standards synonymous with FUNAAB.

Earlier, the Dean of COLPLANT, Prof. Bolarinwa Senjobi, described the event as a historic achievement for the College. He explained that while scholarly seminars had existed since the College’s early years at the Isale-Igbein campus, the new Lecture Series represents a structured and management-backed platform for sustained intellectual discourse. Conceived in 2016 during his tenure as Deputy Dean, the initiative aims to deepen scholarship, mentor emerging academic leaders, strengthen institutional cohesion, and ensure continuity.

Prof. Senjobi noted that earlier attempts to institutionalize the series faced logistical constraints but credited collective perseverance and management support for its eventual realization.

Dignitaries at the event included former Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ololade Enikuomehin; Chairman of the Lecture, Prof. Akinola Popoola; Deans, Directors, Heads of Units, and members of the University community.

The maiden lecture underscored COLPLANT’s strategic commitment to structured leadership development and intellectual engagement as pillars for institutional success.