FUNAAB Hosts International Leadership Course on Agroecology and Organic Agriculture

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) has reinforced its position as the cradle of organic agriculture in Nigeria and a continental hub for agroecology by hosting the official opening of the Agroecology and Organic Agriculture Leadership (AOAL) Course on September 15, 2025.

The University also welcomed an international delegation of global organic agriculture leaders as part of the programme.

The nine-month course, spearheaded by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) in partnership with the Network of Organic Agriculture Practitioners of Nigeria (NOAN), is supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation under the Agroecology Promotion Programme (APP). The five-day residential session at FUNAAB marked the launch of the programme, which aims to equip experienced practitioners with leadership skills, tools, and strategies to transform food systems, promote sustainability, and strengthen food security across Africa.

At the opening ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, reaffirmed FUNAAB’s long-standing commitment to agroecological innovation. Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Olawale Dairo, he highlighted initiatives such as the Work and Learning Programme (WALP), which has trained young people in organic enterprises since 2009, as evidence of the University’s leadership in the field.

In her welcome address, Prof. Oluwakemi Irekore, State Coordinator of NOAN, commended stakeholders for their contributions to the growth of organic agriculture in Nigeria, while NOAN National President, Prof. Jude Obi, described FUNAAB as the cradle of organic agriculture in the country. He stressed that hosting the course at the University was a recognition of its institutional commitment to advancing agroecology.

Earlier in the day, the Vice-Chancellor received the international delegation in his office, recalling FUNAAB’s pioneering role in organic agriculture since 2004. He emphasised that organic agriculture is not merely a practice but part of a global movement in which the University has remained at the forefront through research, teaching, and innovation.

The visiting team commended FUNAAB’s global standing, noting that the AOAL Course was specifically designed for seasoned practitioners who would return to their communities to champion transformative agricultural change. With participants drawn from different parts of Nigeria, the programme is expected to strengthen networks, deepen ecological knowledge, and build leadership capacity for resilient and sustainable food systems across Africa.