FUNAAB, Inqaba Biotec Host Maiden Biotech Quiz

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), in partnership with Inqaba Biotec, on February 2, 2026, launched the maiden edition of the week-long FUNAAB Biotechnology Education Quiz Challenge 2026, underscoring the University’s commitment to innovation-driven science education, youth capacity development and academic excellence.

Declaring the competition open, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Olusegun Idowu, described biotechnology as one of the most transformative scientific disciplines of the modern era, with far-reaching applications in agriculture, health, industry and environmental sustainability. He reaffirmed FUNAAB’s resolve, as Nigeria’s specialised University of Agriculture, to provide students with a strong blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on scientific skills.

The Vice-Chancellor explained that the Biotechnology Education Quiz Challenge was the culmination of months of structured biotechnology training for undergraduates. He noted that the programme was designed not merely as a competition, but as a robust academic assessment platform, where participants would be evaluated through laboratory practicals and oral presentations to test their scientific reasoning, technical competence and ability to apply knowledge to real-world challenges in line with global best practices.

Earlier in his Welcome Address, the Director, Biotechnology Centre and Central Laboratory, Prof. Ayotunde Adebambo, described the initiative as a strategic effort to democratise biotechnology education and identify young scientific “disruptors” across Nigeria. He stated that the maiden Undergraduate and Secondary School Biotechnology Quiz Competition was conceived to make biotechnology accessible, affordable and familiar to young people, much like information technology and artificial intelligence.

Prof. Adebambo stressed that sustainable national development depended on equipping the youth with advanced scientific tools. He reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to fostering an environment where academic excellence is celebrated and rewarded, while advocating stronger recognition for intellectual achievement. He also commended Inqaba Biotec for its steadfast partnership with FUNAAB and announced plans to expand industry engagement through the Triple Helix framework, which links academia, industry, and government.

Speaking on behalf of Inqaba Biotec, Africa’s no. 1 Genomics Company, the company’s representative, Mr. Joseph Olorunbe, said he represented the Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Oliver Preisig, whose passion for supporting science education continues to drive the company’s sponsorship of similar initiatives across Africa and Switzerland. He described the partnership with FUNAAB as a source of pride, noting that the Quiz Challenge aligns with Inqaba Biotec’s vision of strengthening research capacity on the continent.

Mr. Olorunbe traced the origin of Inqaba Biotec to Dr. Preisig’s postgraduate experience in South Africa, where limited access to basic molecular biology tools within Africa inspired the establishment of a company focused on producing and supplying essential reagents, instruments and diagnostics to advance molecular research across the continent. He added that the company, now over two decades old, supplies reagents and instruments for cloning, gene expression analysis, metagenomics and molecular diagnostics, while also offering services such as Sanger sequencing within Nigeria.

He further disclosed that by the end of the year, metagenomics analyses would no longer be outsourced abroad, as concrete steps were being taken to ensure such advanced services are conducted entirely within Nigeria. He also highlighted Inqaba Biotec’s regular capacity-building programmes in basic and advanced molecular biology, encouraging researchers and students to take advantage of upcoming trainings.

Also speaking, Emerita Professor Olufunmilayo Adebambo, a distinguished member of the judging panel, described the Quiz Challenge as a well-structured academic exercise that effectively integrates theory with practical laboratory competence. He urged participants to approach the competition with focus, discipline and integrity, assuring them of a fair and objective assessment process.

Speaking also, the Chairman, Committee of Deans and Directors and the Dean of the College of Agricultural Management and Rural Development (COLAMRUD), Prof. Emmanuel Fakoya, assured that the one-week-long competition would be conducted strictly in line with the University’s examination guidelines, stressing transparency, professionalism and zero tolerance for misconduct.

The competition had four participants, namely Alade Omotayo (Animal Breeding and Genetics, COLANIM), Olanrewaju Esther Oluwadamilola (Agricultural Economics and Farm Management, COLAMRUD), Ijelu Temitope Joyce (Animal Breeding and Genetics, COLANIM) and Erinsho Elizabeth Mosinmiloluwa (Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, University of Ibadan). The participants, who underwent months of intensive preparation, are being assessed by an eminent panel comprising Emerita Prof. Olufunmilayo Adebambo, Prof. Akinola Popoola, Prof. Bolatito Shittu, among others.