Abeokuta – The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) on Friday commissioned several completed projects as part of activities marking its 33rd Convocation Ceremony scheduled for Saturday. The commissioning ceremony featured key infrastructure projects across the university, underscoring FUNAAB’s continued growth in academic, research, and residential facilities.

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council of FUNAAB, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rasheed Olabomi, Odundun IV, Asoludero, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji Land, revealed that the University administration has taken significant steps to ameliorate some of the challenges facing the staff of the institution. Oba Olabomi, who commissioned the residential quarters for principal officers, noted that the project is a testament to one of his cardinal programmes, having discovered that less than 1% of the University staff live within the campus. He stated that the project was financed from the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the University, adding that the management had laid the foundation for a council Guest House and hopes to commission it before the end of the year. The Pro-Chancellor further revealed that the management is embarking on an iconic building, which would be one of the biggest and most attractive on campus, stressing that the University is not relying on government funds alone but is applying its IGR for its benefit to boost productivity.

Among the projects commissioned was the College of Physical Sciences, commissioned by Oba (Dr.) Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, CFR, the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, who was represented by His Royal Majesty, Oba Surveyor (Dr.) Adetunji Oso, Owadaniyan II, the Alaye of Ode-Remo. He commended the University management for putting up such a gigantic project and urged the staff and students to make use of the building for the development of the University and the betterment of mankind.

A major highlight of the event was the commissioning of a 240-Capacity Computer Laboratory by Distinguished Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, who has also played a key role in infrastructural development within the university. Senator Salisu reiterated that FUNAAB speaks directly to Ogun State’s identity as the cradle of education in Nigeria, stating, "There is no way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the state on the 2nd of February, 2026 than to do something in the area of education." He revealed that his constituency has the highest concentration of tertiary institutions in the country, being the only Senatorial District that hosts the Federal University of Agriculture and the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, and promised to liaise with the University management to further aid the school environment for teaching, learning, and development.

Senator Salisu described the occasion as deeply fulfilling, recalling his 2024 visit to the university when a Memorandum of Understanding was signed to train youths from Ogun Central in agriculture. “By the grace of God, before the last convocation, the Camp–FUNAAB Road was fixed, and today, as we speak, the Arakanga–Mawuku Road leading to the second campus is under construction,” he said. The Senator explained that his support for FUNAAB was driven by three key reasons: Ogun State’s legacy as the cradle of education in Nigeria, the state’s forthcoming 50th anniversary, and his role as Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity. He noted that he postponed attending a United Nations conference on cybersecurity in Qatar to be present at the ceremony.

Representing the Ogun Central Senatorial District, which he described as having the highest concentration of intellectual institutions in Nigeria, Senator Salisu said FUNAAB occupies a special place among federal institutions in the district. He further hailed the university’s growing ICT capacity, declaring FUNAAB Nigeria’s equivalent of “Silicon Valley.” “With the concentration of computer laboratories here, practical learning facilities, and the College of Computing nearby, there cannot be a better name for this place than Silicon Valley,” he said, pledging to continue working with the university’s management to further enhance the teaching and learning environment.

Other projects commissioned include the Animal Demonstration Laboratory, commissioned by Chief (Mrs.) Bola Obasanjo, wife of the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who remarked that health is wealth and emphasized the importance of nutrition. The Veterinary Anatomy Laboratory (Phase I) was commissioned by former Ogun State Governor and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, who thanked the Vice-Chancellor for his foresight and the Federal Government for funding and supporting the project.

Also commissioned was a 120-Bed Hostel, unveiled by Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. He thanked the University Council for adhering to due process and noted that student accommodation is a serious component of quality university education, as a conducive and safe environment helps students concentrate and perform excellently.

Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olusola Babatunde Kehinde, expressed appreciation to Senator Salisu for his sustained support to the university and urged him to continue partnering with FUNAAB for infrastructural and academic development.

The commissioning ceremony marked another milestone in FUNAAB’s commitment to excellence in education, research, and national development.