FUNAAB Honours 19 Staff Serving as Principal Officers, Cements Reputation as Nigeria’s Leadership Talent Hub

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has reinforced its standing as a leading incubator of leadership talent in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector with the formal recognition of 19 members of staff currently serving as Principal Officers and Chief Executives in universities and allied institutions across the country and beyond.

The recognition ceremony, held on January 30, 2026, was part of activities marking FUNAAB’s 33rd Convocation Ceremony and highlighted the University’s expanding influence in shaping high-level academic and administrative leadership.

Speaking at the event, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, HRM Oba Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, Odundun IV, described the appointments of the honourees as compelling evidence of FUNAAB’s enduring culture of excellence, discipline, and service.

“FUNAAB is not the only university in Nigeria, yet the number of top-ranking officers emerging from this institution speaks volumes about the quality of human capital nurtured here,” he said. “Within just 24 months, FUNAAB has produced an unprecedented number of Principal Officers and heads of tertiary institutions—an achievement unmatched by any other university in the country.”

According to the Pro-Chancellor, the milestone reflects a combination of divine grace, institutional values, and sustained investment in leadership development. He noted that the recognition programme was intentionally designed to formally appreciate the honourees, including those who were unavoidably absent but received specially prepared goodwill messages from the University.

The honourees include Vice-Chancellors, Rectors, Provosts, Registrars, Bursars, and University Librarians serving across Nigeria and internationally. Among them are Prof. Flora Tobolayefa Oluwafemi, Vice-Chancellor, Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko; Prof. Bolanle Idowu Akeredolu-Ale, Vice-Rector, Pan-African University, Yaoundé, Cameroon; Prof. Mufutau Olaoye Atayese, Pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies, Iragbiji (FUADSI); Prof. Adekojo Waheed, Vice-Chancellor, British Canadian University, Calabar; Prof. Olukayode ‘Dewunmi’ Akinyemi, Vice-Chancellor, Aletheia University, Ago-Iwoye; and Prof. Lateef Oladimeji Sanni, Executive Director, Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), Ilorin.

Others recognised include Prof. Akinola Kehinde Akinlabi, Rector, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora; Prof. Jonathan Jeremiah Atungwu, Provost, Federal College of Agriculture, Ibadan; Mrs. Emilomo Joy Alawode, Registrar, McPherson University; Dr. Ayodele John Olusanwo, Bursar, Ajayi Crowther University; Mrs. Aderonke Adeofun, Bursar, McPherson University; and Mr. Wahab Oloyede Azeez, Pioneer Bursar, Minaret University.

Also honoured were several University Librarians, including Prof. Olusola Bamidele Bamigboye (Hillside University of Science and Technology), Prof. Fredrick Olatunji Ajegbomogun (Joseph Ayo Babalola University), Prof. Fehintola Nike Onifade (Olabisi Onabanjo University), Prof. Idayat Odunola Agboola (Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Abeokuta), Dr. Bosede Ajiboye (Ajayi Crowther University), Dr. Wasiu Olayide Lawal (FUADSI), and Dr. Nurudeen Adeniji Aderibigbe (Aletheia University).

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, described the event as a moment of appreciation rather than ceremony, noting that the widespread appointments of FUNAAB staff into strategic leadership positions validate the University’s long-standing commitment to professionalism, competence, and character.

Speaking on behalf of the honourees, Prof. Lateef Sanni traced FUNAAB’s tradition of recognising excellence to as far back as 1988, describing it as a powerful institutional culture that drives productivity, innovation, and growth. He commended the Governing Council for sustaining the principle of reward and encouragement despite prevailing resource constraints.

A major highlight of the evening was the presentation of gifts to the honourees by the Pro-Chancellor, underscoring FUNAAB’s deliberate strategy of celebrating excellence while positioning itself as a consistent supplier of leadership for Nigeria’s higher education system.