FUNAAB VC Charges New Engineers to Drive Nigeria’s Transformation

The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, has charged newly inducted engineers of the University to deploy innovation, professional competence and ethical responsibility in tackling Nigeria’s pressing development challenges.

Prof. Kehinde gave the charge at the 12th Induction Ceremony of the College of Engineering (COLENG), held on October 7, 2026, at the Prof. Oluwafemi Balogun Ceremonial Building, where 2025/2026 graduating Engineering students were inducted into the Graduate Membership of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).

Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Olusegun Idowu, the Vice-Chancellor described the induction as more than a celebration of academic achievement, but a defining transition into a profession with enormous implications for national development. He stressed that graduation from the University was not the end of learning, but the beginning of a lifelong journey of professional development, innovation, service and responsibility.

Prof. Kehinde noted that engineering remained central to transportation, construction, energy, water supply, manufacturing, agriculture and digital infrastructure, stressing that Nigeria needed Engineers capable of converting knowledge into practical solutions. He urged the inductees to understand not only machines and systems, but also challenges relating to food security, agricultural transformation, environmental sustainability, climate change and rural development.

The Vice-Chancellor charged the new Engineers to become agents of national transformation, capable of designing and maintaining infrastructure, developing appropriate technologies, improving agricultural productivity, supporting industrialisation and creating solutions that are affordable, sustainable and suited to Nigeria’s environment.

He challenged them to continually ask themselves: “What problem can I solve? What value can I create? How can my knowledge improve the life of another person? How can I contribute to the development of Nigeria?” He also urged them to uphold integrity, competence, professionalism and accountability, warning against compromising quality, safety and professional standards for personal gain.

Welcoming guests, the Dean, College of Engineering, Prof. Adedayo Badejo, described the ceremony as a significant milestone marking the culmination of years of rigorous academic training, discipline and determination. He congratulated the inductees and urged them to deploy their expertise in addressing emerging challenges, particularly climate change and digital transformation, while maintaining the standards and values associated with their alma mater.

Speaking also, the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Ali Rabiu, represented by the Chairman, NSE Abeokuta Branch, Engr. (Dr.) Adekunle Musa, congratulated the University, inductees, staff, parents and guardians, stressing that continuous learning was indispensable in a rapidly evolving technological environment. He urged the new Engineers to remain adaptable and acquire skills in emerging fields such as Artificial Intelligence, automation, renewable energy, digital technology and advanced manufacturing.

Delivering a keynote lecture, the South-West Regional Manager, Bank of Industry (BOI), Engr. Michael Oye, represented by the State Manager, BOI, Engr. Michael Ajidani, challenged the inductees to bridge the gap between Nigeria’s abundant resources and their productive utilisation through innovation, appropriate technology and collaboration. He urged them to transform natural resources into useful products, waste into wealth, data into actionable insights and agricultural produce into value-added products.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Platform Capital, Lagos, Engr. (Dr.) Akintoye Akindele, urged the graduates to cultivate curiosity, learn from mistakes, embrace multidisciplinary thinking, think long-term and remain persistent in pursuing solutions. He stressed that Engineers must continually question conventional practices and explore better, safer and more efficient alternatives.

As part of his support for young engineering talents, Engr. Akindele presented N1.5 million each to the Best Male and Female Graduating Engineering Students, Mr. Yahyah Mubarak of Agricultural and Bio-Resources Engineering and Miss Kelechi Chibundu of Mechatronics Engineering. He also offered them employment opportunities at Nexus Energy Limited, in addition to pledging to extend Dubai invitations for some outstanding students in December, including an exploration of solar-energy opportunities at FUNAAB, alongside 10 internship scholarships for deserving Engineering students.

The ceremony culminated in the presentation of awards and prizes to outstanding graduating students across the various Departments of the College, including the administering of the oath of membership on the inductees, thereby making their transition from academic training into professional Engineering practice and reinforcing FUNAAB’s commitment to producing Engineers equipped to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s technological and economic transformation.