FUNAAB’s mandate is not to feed the nation, says Vice-Chancellor

The Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, has disclosed that the University’s mandate was not to feed the nation, but to equip students with the knowledge and skills to contribute meaningfully to the agricultural sector.

His stance is coming on the heels of high expectations from Nigerians and supposed disappointment by many that the agriculture institution is not leaving to expectation in food production, in the face of the current food crisis affecting the country.

The Vice Chancellor, who made the clarification during the 2024 yearly colloquium of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Ogun State chapter held at the June 12, Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, noted that the institution recently achieved a feat as the Best University of Agriculture in Africa and the 7th best globally, adding that it also came first in Nigeria in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG2) – “Zero Hunger.”

While speaking on the theme: “Galvanising Public and Private Stakeholders Toward Addressing Food Crisis in Nigeria: Public Relations as Key Driver,” Prof. Kehinde, who commended NIPR for keeping the conversation on food security at the forefront of public dialogue, called for a united effort to overcome the obstacles hindering Nigeria’s progress in achieving the United Nations’ SDGs, particularly in eradicating hunger and ensuring food security.

He said addressing food insecurity in Nigeria requires collective responsibility, noting the need for synergy between academia, government, and private industries, facilitated by strategic Public Relations, to secure Nigeria’s agricultural future.

Prof. Kehinde underscored the critical role of public relations and the media in fostering collaboration and driving engagement between the public and private sectors to combat the food crisis.

He stressed FUNAAB’s leadership role in that area, citing the university’s recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nourished Choice Foods Ltd., a partnership aimed at reducing food costs and boosting food production and distribution.

The vice chancellor said under his leadership, FUNAAB has continued to strengthen its global reputation for academic excellence and agricultural innovation.

He also highlighted some of the University’s key agricultural milestones, including the ongoing harvest of a two-hectare tomato farm managed by students under the Centre for Community-Based Farming Scheme (COBFAS), the 22-hectare Cassava Bio-Ethanol Farm, and the completion of a nine-hectare maize farm project in partnership with NOLAP. The achievements, he noted, reflected FUNAAB’s commitment to addressing food insecurity through innovative research and collaborative ventures.