FUNAAB VC Tasks COLENG Staff on Transformational Leadership

The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, has charged academic staff of the College of Engineering (COLENG) to embrace transformational leadership to improve teaching and learning, strengthen research and expand the university's impact locally and globally.

Prof. Kehinde gave the charge in a message delivered by the Dean of COLENG, Prof. Adedayo Badejo, at the College's Research and Leadership Seminar/Workshop Series held on October 21, 2026, at the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo Engineering Building. The seminar was themed "Transformational Leadership in Academia: Moving from Manager to Visionary Leader."

The Vice-Chancellor appreciated COLENG for organising the seminar and commended resource person, Prof. Ololade Enikuomehin, for contributing to academic leadership development. He emphasised importance of applying knowledge gained to strengthen university's teaching, learning and research responsibilities and generate meaningful impact beyond immediate community.

Speaking as Dean, Prof. Badejo described the seminar as timely, noting that COLENG had produced at least three Vice-Chancellors and Deputy Vice-Chancellors. He called for collaborative leadership, stressing that institutional growth required leaders and staff to work collectively towards shared goals.

He observed that staff influence extends beyond official responsibilities as they also guide students and shape conduct through personal example, and encouraged participants to lead by example, promote professional development and contribute to positive institutional legacy.

The resource person, Prof. Enikuomehin, former Ag. Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, described seminar as wake-up call for improved service delivery and effective leadership within Nigerian university system.

He defined leadership as art of influencing people to achieve set goals, explaining that transformational leadership goes beyond routine management to inspire individuals, broaden their interests and foster positive relationships between leaders and staff.

Prof. Enikuomehin highlighted individual development, staff motivation and constructive professional relationships as essential elements of transformational leadership. He advocated credible mentorship mechanisms to strengthen staff capacity and enhance institutional effectiveness.

He concluded by emphasising need to improve teaching and learning environment, noting that supportive academic atmosphere was crucial to better staff performance and sustainable development.

The highlight was presentation of an award to Prof. Enikuomehin. The event also featured interactive Q&A session and group photographs.

By Joy Adeyiga, David Johnson & Joy Olabanji