… As Pro-Chancellor Celebrates 19 Staff Serving as Principal Officers, Chief Executives Nationwide
By Olasunkanmi Olajide & Raymond Osemene
The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has once again asserted its place as a foremost breeding ground for leadership in Nigeria’s tertiary education system, as it honoured 19 members of staff currently serving as Principal Officers and Chief Executives in universities and allied institutions across the country and beyond.
The special recognition dinner, held on January 30, 2026, formed part of activities marking the University’s 33rd Convocation Ceremony and underscored FUNAAB’s growing reputation as a reservoir of intellectual capital and administrative excellence.
Speaking while celebrating the honourees, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, HRM, Oba Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, Odundun IV, Asoludero, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji Land, described their appointments as compelling evidence of FUNAAB’s enduring role in producing capable hands for the advancement of Nigeria’s higher education sector.
According to him, the steady demand for FUNAAB-trained professionals at the highest levels of university administration reflects the institution’s deeply ingrained culture of excellence, leadership and service.
“FUNAAB is not the only university in Nigeria, yet the number of high-ranking officers emerging from this institution speaks eloquently about our values, leadership culture and the quality of human capital nurtured here,” the Pro-Chancellor said. “Within just 24 months, FUNAAB has produced an unprecedented number of Principal Officers and heads of tertiary institutions, an achievement unmatched by any other university in the country.”
He attributed the milestone to divine grace, institutional discipline and a sustained commitment to excellence, noting that the recognition programme was deliberately designed to formally appreciate the honourees, including those unavoidably absent, who were provided prepared addresses conveying the depth of the University’s gratitude.
Among those honoured were Vice-Chancellors, Rectors, Provosts, Registrars, Bursars and University Librarians currently serving in institutions across Nigeria and beyond. They include Prof. Flora Tobolayefa Oluwafemi, Vice-Chancellor, Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko; Prof. Bolanle Idowu Akeredolu-Ale, Vice-Rector, Pan-African University, Yaoundé, Cameroon; Prof. Mufutau Olaoye Atayese, Pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies, Iragbiji (FUADSI); Prof. Adekojo Waheed, Vice-Chancellor, British Canadian University, Calabar; Prof. Olukayode ‘Dewunmi’ Akinyemi, Vice-Chancellor, Aletheia University, Ago-Iwoye, and Prof. Lateef Oladimeji Sanni, Executive Director, Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), Ilorin.
Others are Prof. Akinola Kehinde Akinlabi, Rector, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology (OYSCATECH), Igboora; Prof. Jonathan Jeremiah Atungwu, Provost, Federal College of Agriculture, Ibadan (FCAIB); Mrs. Emilomo Joy Alawode, Registrar, McPherson University (McU), Seriki-Sotayo; Dr. Ayodele John Olusanwo, Bursar, Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Oyo; Mrs. Aderonke Adeofun, Bursar, McU; and Mr. Wahab Oloyede Azeez, Pioneer Bursar, Minaret University.
Also recognised are Prof. Olusola Bamidele Bamigboye, University Librarian, Hillside University of Science and Technology, Okemesi; Prof. Fredrick Olatunji Ajegbomogun, University Librarian of Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU); Prof. Fehintola Nike Onifade, University Librarian, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye; Prof. Idayat Odunola Agboola, University Librarian of the Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Abeokuta (FUMMSA); Dr. Bosede Ajiboye, University Librarian, ACU, Oyo; Dr. Wasiu Olayide Lawal, Pioneer University Librarian, FUADSI; Dr. Nurudeen Adeniji Aderibigbe, University Librarian, Aletheia University, Ago-Iwoye.
Earlier in his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, described the gathering as a moment of appreciation rather than ceremony, noting that the appointments of FUNAAB staff into strategic leadership positions validate the University’s long-standing investment in professionalism, competence and character.
He affirmed that FUNAAB remained proud of its contribution to strengthening Nigeria’s university system by consistently supplying leaders who uphold global standards in governance, scholarship and administration.
Speaking on behalf of the honourees, the Executive Director, NSPRI, Prof. Lateef Sanni, traced FUNAAB’s tradition of recognising excellence to as far back as 1988, when outstanding productivity among staff and students was formally rewarded.
Prof. Sanni, a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development) at FUNAAB, described the culture of recognition as a powerful motivator that continues to drive growth, innovation and excellence within the University Community, commending the Governing Council for sustaining the principle of reward and encouragement despite prevailing resource constraints. “The essence of recognition is not about competition or defeat, but about stimulating productivity and institutional progress,” he said.
He also congratulated the Vice-Chancellor for steering the University through what he described as a period of renewed momentum, expressing confidence that FUNAAB would continue to rise in national and global relevance.
A major highlight of the event was the presentation of gifts to the honourees by the Chairman of the Governing Council.
