FUNAAB Holds Maiden Capacity-Building Workshop to Strengthen Quality Academic Delivery

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has taken a major step toward strengthening academic standards with the hosting of a maiden one-day capacity-building training workshop for its academic staff.

The workshop, organised by the Quality Control and Assurance Unit under the Directorate of Academic Planning, was held on Tuesday, December 17, 2025, and was aimed at sensitising lecturers on strategies to accelerate quality academic delivery across the University.

Declaring the programme open at the Prof. Olusola Oyewole Lecture Hall, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Olusegun Idowu, underscored the central role of universities as drivers of knowledge, innovation and national development. He emphasised that quality academic delivery remains the backbone of sustainable development within the Nigerian university system.

The Vice-Chancellor noted that relevant curricula, effective teaching strategies and strict adherence to academic integrity are non-negotiable in building globally competitive institutions. He charged that academic programmes must undergo continuous review to reflect national needs and global realities, while equipping students with critical thinking, problem-solving and entrepreneurial skills.

He further stressed the need to align teaching, research and community engagement with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the responsibility of universities in addressing food security, climate change, public health, poverty reduction and inclusive economic growth through impactful research and socially responsive graduates.

In his welcome address, the Head of the Quality Control and Assurance Unit, Prof. Saliu Amolegbe, described the Unit as a critical arm of the University tasked with safeguarding quality across all operational stages. He explained that the merger of the Unit with the Directorate of Academic Planning, as directed by the Vice-Chancellor, was designed to strengthen academic performance in line with National Universities Commission (NUC) standards.

According to him, the capacity-building workshop was structured to equip academic staff, particularly newly recruited lecturers, with essential professional competencies, ethical standards and a clear understanding of FUNAAB’s institutional culture. He expressed appreciation to representatives of colleges, units and centres, as well as members of the planning committee, for their support toward the success of the programme.

Delivering the keynote lecture titled “Building a Culture of Quality: Strengthening Institutional Systems for Excellence, Relevance, and Impact in Higher Education,” the Project Officer for Quality Assurance and Accreditation at the Association of African Universities (AAU), Accra, Ghana, Prof. Adewale Obadina, described quality as a culture rather than a checklist. He explained that quality assurance entails systematic evaluation of institutions, facilities and academic programmes to ensure that standards are met, sustained and continuously improved.

Prof. Obadina identified internal and external quality assurance mechanisms as essential tools for institutional excellence, charging academic staff to uphold professionalism, ethics and continuous self-development in teaching, research and service as custodians of the University’s future.

During the technical sessions, Prof. Olusegun Idowu presented a paper titled “Ethics of Standard Teaching and Examination Conduct: Imperative for Quality Assurance in the Nigerian University System.” He highlighted integrity, fairness and accountability as the pillars of credible higher education, adding that in the era of Artificial Intelligence, ethical principles must be reinforced with modern technological safeguards to preserve trust and global recognition of academic qualifications.

Another technical session was delivered by a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Kola Adebayo, on “Paradigm Shift from Theories to Innovative and Commercialised Research.” He outlined pathways for institutional growth through innovation-driven research, strategic partnerships, academic exchanges and international collaborations.

The event also featured the presentation of an award to the Vice-Chancellor in recognition of his unwavering support for quality assurance initiatives within the University.

Dignitaries in attendance included the Pioneer Director of the Quality Control and Assurance Unit, Prof. Segun Oladoye; Dean, COLPLANT, Prof. Bola Senjobi; Dean, COLAMRUD and Chairman, CODAD, Prof. Emmanuel Fakoya; Deputy Director of Academic Planning, Mr. Johnson Olukehinde; Chairman, TIMTEC, Prof. Pius Dada, alongside members of the academic staff community.