“Get Your Degree First, Then Chase Your Passion” — VC Charges FUNAAB’s 27th NUGA Contingent

The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, has urged student-athletes to prioritise their academic pursuits while nurturing their sporting talents, declaring that a university education remains the foundation for lasting success.

He gave the charge at a special recognition ceremony held on February 19, 2026, at the Green Chamber of the University in honour of FUNAAB’s contingent to the 27th edition of the Nigerian University Games Association Games (NUGA), recently hosted by the University of Jos (UNIJOS), as well as the institution’s Monieball Bronze Medalists.

Addressing the athletes, the Vice-Chancellor emphasised the importance of balancing academics with extracurricular engagements.

“Earn your degree and go for your passion later,” he counselled. “Don’t just pass through the University; let the University pass through you. Whatever God has destined you to become, whether in sports or another field, do not abandon it. But remember why you are here first.”

Prof. Kehinde noted that while some students may eventually build careers in sports, others might chart entirely different professional paths unrelated to their courses of study. According to him, the core mandate of the university is to develop students intellectually and prepare them for life beyond the classroom.

“You may study Soil Science and end up in business. You may be in Pasture and Range Management (PRM), and become a world-class Handball player. Whatever you choose, ensure you do not dropout. Balance your pursuits and make progress,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor commended the athletes for representing the University with distinction, noting that many participating institutions returned home without medals. “You are students first, not professional athletes. We know it is not easy to combine both, and we truly appreciate your resilience and commitment. Thank you for the medals and for making the University proud,” he added.

Earlier in his Opening Remarks, the Director, Directorate of Sports and Wellness Centre, Dr. Samuel Olabanji, described the ceremony as historic, noting that it was the first time the Sports Directorate would be formally honoured in such a manner.

He lauded the Vice-Chancellor’s leadership and commitment to continuous improvement, stating that although FUNAAB had won three gold medals at a previous outing in Lagos, the current recognition underscored a renewed drive for excellence.

Dr. Olabanji also expressed appreciation for the Vice-Chancellor’s support to the Sports Directorate, particularly the donation of a bus and the allocation of an official vehicle to enhance operations.

The event featured the formal presentation of medals to the NUGA and Monieball contingents, as well as the decoration of the Vice-Chancellor with commemorative medals in appreciation of his steady support for sports development at FUNAAB.

Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor announced cash rewards for the athletes in recognition of their outstanding performances at the Games. Gold Medalists are to receive ₦40,000 each, while Silver Medalists would be awarded ₦20,000. Bronze Medalists are to get ₦15,000, and other participating athletes would receive ₦7,000 each.