FUNAAB Opens Recreation Centre, Lounge to Strengthen Town-Gown Relationship

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), on October 1, 2026, opened its newly rehabilitated Recreation Centre and Lounge as part of efforts to strengthen interaction between the University community and the wider society.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, who opened the facility for use pending the official commissioning, described it as an important addition to the University's infrastructure, designed to provide a serene environment for relaxation, interaction, networking and social engagement.

Prof. Kehinde explained that the facility was conceived to revive the culture of social interaction previously enjoyed by University staff and members of the public at the former Staff Club in Isale-Igbein, Onikolobo and the recent one at the Zoological Park, where lasting relationships were built.

According to him, the facility was originally conceived during the administration of former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun, as part of the International Scholars' and Resource Centre.

He said the current administration revisited the vision and rehabilitated the facility after recognising its potential to serve the University community, visitors and members of the public. He stressed that it was deliberately named the Recreation Centre rather than Staff Club because its purpose extends beyond staff recreation to fostering a stronger town and gown relationship.

"It should be a place where town and gown will meet," the Vice-Chancellor stated, noting that the facility's serene environment and strategic location could attract visitors from Abeokuta, Lagos, Ibadan and other parts of the country, including participants attending retreats, conferences and other University programmes.

Prof. Kehinde disclosed that the rehabilitation was funded through the University's Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), commending the project committee, the Director of Physical Planning and other stakeholders for their contributions. He added that adjoining facilities include the Vice-Chancellor's, Pro-Chancellor's, Chancellor's and Principal Officers' Lodges, accommodation for members of the University's Governing Council, particularly external members, while complementing the University's guest-house services.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Recreation Centre Committee, Prof. Omotola Jayeola, described the commissioning as a landmark development in promoting unity, social interaction and stronger town-gown relations. He said the committee, comprising representatives of Management and staff unions, including ASUU, NASU, NAAT and SSANU, was constituted to develop a sustainable framework for the operation of the centre.

In his goodwill message, the Chairman of ASUU-FUNAAB, Dr. Ola-Olusegun Oyedele, commended the Vice-Chancellor for creating a platform where town and gown could interact, describing the initiative as an avenue for blending academic life with wider societal engagement. He expressed optimism that the facility would contribute to greater interaction and community-building within and around the University.

The Recreation Centre and Lounge is expected to provide relaxation and hospitality services, while promoting interaction among University staff, students, visitors, alumni, members of the host communities and other members of the public, further advancing FUNAAB's commitment to meaningful community engagement.