FUNAAB COLVET Students Embark on Educational Adventure Beyond the Classroom
Students from the College of Veterinary Medicine (COLVET) at FUNAAB recently participated in educational field trips that connected theoretical learning with practical experience.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
In a move to enhance experiential learning, students of the College of Veterinary Medicine (COLVET) at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), recently embarked on field trips designed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical experience. The excursions provided hands-on exposure to botanical and pharmaceutical applications crucial to veterinary medicine.
The first phase of the educational adventure took place at the FUNAAB Botanical Garden on March 25 and March 27, 2025. Students from the DVM III and DVM IV classes explored an extensive range of flora with medicinal and toxicological significance in veterinary practice. The visit emphasized plant identification, taxonomy, and understanding active constituents essential for veterinary applications.
Dr. Abiodun Oyelakin, representing the Head of the Department of Pure and Applied Botany, alongside Botanical Garden Coordinator Dr. Oluwasegun Fawibe, welcomed the students. He provided in-depth knowledge of various plants, including Asclepias syriaca (Milkweed), which is safe for rabbits but toxic to cattle, and latex-producing plants from the Euphorbiaceae family, such as Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (Ewe Iyanapaja) and Euphorbia kamerunica (Cactus plant). Other plants studied included Moringa oleifera (Miracle Plant) for its antimicrobial properties, Azadirachta indica (Dongoyaro) with antifungal benefits, and Vernonia amygdalina (Bitterleaf) known for its detoxifying effects.
The learning experience continued with a visit to Kachelan-Pharma Research Ltd in Onikolobo, Abeokuta, on March 28, 2025. Final-year (DVM V) students explored career opportunities in veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturing at the renowned veterinary medication production company. The visit provided insights into pharmaceutical processes, quality control measures, and regulatory compliance.
A total of 40 students, divided into batches, toured various sections of the facility, including the Receiving Bay, Cloak Room, Crossover Section, Quality Control Room, Laboratory, and Production Room. They gained firsthand experience of stringent hygiene protocols, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), advanced manufacturing technologies, and adherence to industry standards.
The field trips were coordinated by the Head of the Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, Prof. Olubukola Adenubi, alongside faculty members Dr. Oluwatodimu Adekoya, Dr. Samuel Attama, and Laboratory Technologist Mr. Charles Leigh. The excursions reinforced the university’s commitment to integrating practical learning into veterinary education, preparing students for real-world applications in both botanical and pharmaceutical fields.
