FUNAAB Hosts Hands-On Youth Beekeeping Training Under WAFROEX Partnership

The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, has reinforced the University’s commitment to practical agricultural training by personally leading participants of the WAFROEX–FUNAAB Beekeeping Training 2.0 through an intensive field session focused on youth beekeeping enterprise development and innovation.

During the live demonstration, Prof. Kehinde guided trainees through critical skills including hive inspection, colony handling, brood and queen identification, and evaluation of colony health—competencies he emphasized as essential for building a sustainable and commercially viable beekeeping business.

The session was attended by key stakeholders, including Mr. Omar Lababidi, Founder/CEO of WAFROEX/GOLDSWARM LLC; Alhaji Abdulrahman Shomala, General Manager; Mr. Abubakri Shomala, WAFROEX–FUNAAB Project Manager; and Mr. Abdulrasheed Bello, Strategy and Regional Coordinator. Also present were Mr. Abdulhakeem Alabi, WAFROEX Team Lead; Prof. Iyabode Kehinde, Dean of COLBIOS and alternate Chairperson of the Employability and Benchmarking Committee; Prof. Thomas Fabunmi, HoD, PPCP; Prof. Adefunke Ayinde, HoD, AGAD; training facilitators Mr. David Musa and Mr. Christian; and Mr. Joel Momoh of the WAFROEX–FUNAAB Team.

The 2-day practical training successfully engaged over 200 students, equipping them with hands-on knowledge and entrepreneurial skills to develop and manage profitable beekeeping enterprises.