FUNAAB, Teach For Nigeria Strengthen Partnership as Fellowship Programme Expands

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its partnership with Teach For Nigeria (TFN) as the organisation expands its Fellowship programme on the University’s campus.

The commitment was reiterated during a meeting between FUNAAB Management and representatives of TFN on August 13, 2026, at the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development)’s Conference Room. The meeting provided an opportunity for both institutions to review the previous Fellowship programme and discuss preparations for the expanded cohort.

The 2026 three-week Pre-Service Training Institute (PSTI), which commenced on August 10, 2026, and will run until September 6, 2026, has attracted 725 participants to the University.

Welcoming the TFN delegation on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Olawale Dairo, appreciated TFN for selecting FUNAAB as the venue for its programme for the second consecutive year.

Prof. Kehinde assured TFN of the University’s readiness to improve facilities and services, while emphasising that programmes hosted on the campus must operate within established rules and regulations. He also highlighted the importance of skills acquisition and capacity development in preparing young people to meet contemporary demands.

The Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Festus Adeosun, described the challenges encountered during the inaugural programme as “teething problems”, noting that the University had taken steps to improve participants’ experience, particularly in transportation and other areas.

He also proposed the development of a dedicated facility for future TFN programmes as the Fellowship continues to expand.

The Chief Executive Officer of TFN, Ms. Molade Adeniyi, commended FUNAAB for its responsiveness and collaborative approach, describing these as key factors behind the organisation’s decision to return to the University.

She explained that the Fellowship had continued to grow, with increasing interest from government stakeholders who have recognised its potential to improve classroom learning and contribute to broader educational transformation.

“Our priority is to equip Fellows with the right skills, attitudes and mindsets so they can go into classrooms and transform education for every Nigerian child,” she said, stressing the importance of the PSTI in preparing Fellows for subsequent stages of the programme.

The meeting also identified shared interests between FUNAAB and TFN in skills development, character formation, innovation, service, training and research.

Both institutions expressed interest in formalising and expanding the partnership through structured collaborations, building on existing initiatives, including research cooperation on fertiliser development.