FUNAAB Concludes 2025 PSTI as the VC Commends TFN Fellows

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) successfully hosted the Induction Ceremony of the Ninth Cohort of Teach For Nigeria (TFN) Fellows and the Fifth Cohort of School Leaders, marking the conclusion of the 2025 Pre-Service Training Institute (PSTI).

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, commended the initiative for its transformative impact on education and leadership development in Nigeria.

In his Goodwill Message at the closing ceremony on August 27, 2025, Prof. Kehinde expressed gratitude to TFN’s Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Molade Adeniyi, the Board of Trustees, and partners for selecting FUNAAB as the host institution. He highlighted that the programme had not only shaped the Fellows and school leaders but also enriched the University community. “For us at FUNAAB, we feel like Associate Fellows ourselves. What you have deposited in these young leaders is not just for their benefit but for the sake of our country. We are hopeful that Nigeria will be better because of the training you have given them,” he said.

Prof. Kehinde urged the Fellows to apply the knowledge and skills acquired into classrooms and communities, stressing that the nation’s future depends on their ability to unlock the potential of children across Nigeria.

Delivering the Keynote Address on the theme “One Classroom, Infinite Possibilities,” Mrs. Rhoda Odigboh, Chief Executive Officer of Kizazi, described education as dignity, shelter, opportunity, and, for many children, a lifeline. She encouraged the Fellows to see themselves as nation builders and architects of possibilities.

Representing the Ninth Cohort, Miss Munirat Otusanya described the Fellowship as a transformative journey, noting that it reshaped their perspective on teaching and leadership. Fellows shared reflections on moments of bonding, teamwork, and shared laughter that turned strangers into a family, while reaffirming their commitment to shaping the future of Nigerian children.

Highlights of the occasion included the presentation of gifts to individuals and groups who distinguished themselves during the three-week intensive training.

The PSTI, an intensive six-week programme designed to equip Fellows with advanced skills in pedagogy, literacy, numeracy, and leadership, began with a three-week virtual session before concluding with an in-person phase at FUNAAB. The University hosted over 700 Fellows from across the country during the physical session.