FUNAAB Publications Committee Leadership Changes Hands as Prof. Bodunde Hands Over to Prof. Sotiloye

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) Publications Committee has witnessed a formal leadership transition, as the immediate past Chairperson, Prof. Helen Bodunde, on April 20, 2026, handed over to Prof. Bosede Sotiloye in a ceremony that marked the end of a reform-driven tenure.

The handover event highlighted a period of institutional expansion and process re-engineering within the Committee, with Prof. Bodunde reflecting on what she described as a demanding but impactful leadership experience.

She noted that the evolution of the Publications Committee, particularly its expanded responsibility for coordinating Inaugural Lectures—previously handled as a more ceremonial function—significantly broadened its operational mandate and academic relevance.

According to her, coordinating Inaugural Lectures required more than administrative oversight, stressing that it involved guiding professors to properly structure decades of academic research into coherent scholarly presentations anchored on clearly defined research niches.

During her over four-year tenure, the Committee coordinated 51 Inaugural Lectures and developed structured procedural manuals aimed at improving consistency and efficiency in execution. She also introduced the “Inaugural Lecture 3.0” framework, which expanded evaluation parameters to include teaching effectiveness, supervision, administrative service, and broader societal impact.

Prof. Bodunde further disclosed that the Committee strengthened academic publication processes by facilitating the review of books for promotion exercises and securing institutional approval for remuneration of academic reviewers—an intervention she described as a major improvement in academic administration.

She commended the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, for providing what she called an enabling environment that allowed the Committee to function with autonomy and effectiveness, while also acknowledging the commitment of Committee members and reviewers.

She urged continuity in collaboration and institutional discipline, calling on members to support the incoming leadership to sustain the gains achieved.

In her acceptance remarks, the new Chairperson, Prof. Bosede Sotiloye, praised Prof. Bodunde’s tenure, describing it as structured, visionary, and reform-oriented. She pledged to consolidate on existing frameworks while strengthening teamwork and operational efficiency within the Committee.

Members of the Committee also paid tribute to Prof. Bodunde, describing her leadership as transformative and central to the Committee’s current structure and output.

The transition was concluded with reaffirmations of commitment to maintaining academic standards and institutional excellence.