FUNAAB Lecturer Mr. Hameed Ologunde Secures Three Prestigious International PhD Scholarships, Chooses University of Florida

Mr. Hameed Ologunde, a Lecturer II in the Department of Soil Science and Land Management (SSLM) at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has made remarkable strides in his academic career by securing three highly coveted international PhD scholarships. The scholarships were awarded by prestigious institutions—the University of Queensland, Australia; the University of Florida, United States; and the University of Bayreuth, Germany (DAAD).

Faced with the enviable challenge of selecting among these world-class universities, Mr. Ologunde ultimately chose the University of Florida, where he is now pursuing his PhD in Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences. His fully-funded programme, running from 2024 to 2028, focuses on Soil Health Management for Climate Resilience and Sustainable Food Production, particularly in tropical regions. His research holds significant relevance to global food security and the fight against the adverse effects of climate change.

Mr. Ologunde’s journey to this point is rooted in his strong academic foundation at FUNAAB, where he earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Agriculture from the SSLM Department. His Master’s research was supported by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) under the African Cassava Agronomy Initiative (ACAI), where he focused on soil health and sustainable farming practices.

To further expand his expertise, Mr. Ologunde pursued a second Master’s Degree in Soil and Plant Nutrition at the Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), Brazil, through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund)/Agricultural Research and Innovation Fellowship for Africa (ARIFA). During this period, his research explored Soil Physics, Soil Conservation, and the use of Machine-Learning Techniques in Soil Management, gaining valuable international experience in sustainable agriculture and soil science.

Reflecting on his achievements, Mr. Ologunde credited his success to the mentorship and guidance of two key figures in his academic career: the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, Professor Felix Kolawole Salako, and the Director of the Directorate of Research, Innovations, and Partnerships (DRIP), Professor Mutiu Busari. Both from the SSLM Department, these mentors played pivotal roles in shaping his research interests and providing invaluable support.

In his statement, Mr. Ologunde expressed profound gratitude to his mentors, acknowledging their influence in his academic development. He also dedicated his achievements to his family, whose unwavering support, he said, had been instrumental in his success.

His selection of the University of Florida, a globally renowned institution, marks a new chapter in his career as he contributes to cutting-edge research in soil health and climate resilience. Mr. Ologunde’s success underscores the critical role of academic dedication and international collaboration in tackling global challenges such as food security and climate change, positioning him as a rising figure in the field of sustainable agriculture.