FUNAAB Graduates 4,141 Students as President Tinubu Hails University’s Role in National Development

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has received high commendation from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for its pivotal role in advancing Nigeria’s food security, youth empowerment, and economic transformation.

The recognition came during FUNAAB’s 33rd Convocation Ceremony on Saturday, January 31, 2026, where 4,141 students were awarded degrees.

Delivering the President’s message, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, described the convocation as more than a celebration of academic achievement, emphasizing the University’s strategic importance in Nigeria’s agricultural modernization agenda.

President Tinubu lauded FUNAAB for its leadership in agricultural education, research, and innovation, highlighting its continental and global recognition, including being ranked the Best University of Agriculture in Africa and seventh globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) 2024 rankings. The University also achieved first place in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) performance in 2024 and ranks among the world’s top ten institutions for teaching skills.

“Institutions like FUNAAB remain central to addressing pressing challenges such as food insecurity, climate change, population growth, and economic volatility,” the President said. He urged the University to sustain its leadership through deeper innovation, robust research output, and producing graduates equipped to drive national productivity under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

In a related address, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, represented by Prof. Kayode Adebowale, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, praised FUNAAB for producing disciplined, innovative, and globally competitive graduates. He described the convocation theme, “Integrating Agriculture and Youth Development: A New Paradigm for the Nigerian Education System,” as timely and aligned with national efforts to use education as a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, and sustainable food systems.

Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor, HRM Oba Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, Odundun IV, Aragbiji of Iragbiji Land, congratulated graduates and revealed that FUNAAB recorded its highest matriculation in 38 years, admitting 6,356 students for the 2025/2026 session. He also noted that the University ranks second among federal universities in graduate employability, supported by programme expansion, leadership-focused short courses, and strategic recruitment of academic and non-teaching staff.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, highlighted key achievements over the past year, including the EU-funded AGRECOFARM Hydroponic Technology Workshop, a top-10 global finish by the FUNAAB ANiMeDRig team at the Hack4Livestock Hackathon, and the completion of a 3MW Hybrid Solar Power Project. He also cited research breakthroughs and the attraction of ₦93.6 million in TETFund research grants alongside two National Research Fund awards.

Representing the graduating class, Miss Joy Osianor of the Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Food Science and Human Ecology (COLFHEC), who emerged the Overall Best Graduating Student, thanked lecturers and parents while urging peers to remain innovative, committed, and hopeful.

The ceremony drew dignitaries from government, academia, and industry, including the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, among others.