FUNAAB Produces 104 First-Class Graduates, Disburses ₦840m Student Loans at 33rd Convocation

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) will graduate 4,141 students at its 33rd Convocation Ceremony scheduled for Saturday, with 104 graduates earning First Class Honours, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olusola Kehinde, has announced.

Speaking during a press briefing at the University’s Senate Building on Wednesday, Prof. Kehinde disclosed that the graduating class comprises 1,771 Second Class Upper, 1,896 Second Class Lower, 285 Third Class, and two Pass degree holders, while 41 graduands will receive the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, which is unclassified.

For postgraduate awards, the University will confer 49 Postgraduate Diplomas, 164 Master’s degrees, and 89 PhDs across various disciplines.

The Vice-Chancellor also announced Osiama Chinyere of the Department of Food and Nutrition, with a CGPA of 4.85, as the Overall Best Graduating Student.

Academic Expansion and Programme Restoration

Prof. Kehinde revealed that the Federal Government has approved the reintroduction of four Management Sciences programmes—Accounting, Banking and Finance, Business Administration, and Economics—which were previously delisted by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in the 2017/2018 session.

In addition, the University has introduced six new programmes: Wildlife and Ecotourism Management, Forestry Resource Management, Hydrology and Water Resources Management, Climate Science and Agricultural Meteorology, Cooperative Studies, and Development Studies. With these additions, FUNAAB now runs 44 academic programmes across 55 departments.

₦840m NELFUND Support to Nearly 5,000 Students

Highlighting student welfare, the Vice-Chancellor disclosed that close to 5,000 FUNAAB students have benefited from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), receiving a cumulative ₦840 million in financial support. He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the initiative, describing it as “a tremendous relief” for students.

Power and Infrastructure Milestones

Prof. Kehinde further announced that FUNAAB’s World Bank-assisted 3MW Hybrid Solar Power Project has reached a major milestone, now providing uninterrupted electricity across campus during the day and powering about half of the campus at night.

Projects slated for inauguration during the convocation include the College of Physical Sciences, a 240-capacity Computer Laboratory, Animal Demonstration Laboratory, Veterinary Anatomy Laboratory (Phase I), and Residential Quarters for Principal Officers.

Describing the convocation as a celebration of resilience and achievement, the Vice-Chancellor said the graduating students are being released as innovative entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, and future leaders, marking the beginning of new horizons for both the individuals and the institution.