The Federal Government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Education (FME), on Friday, September 8, 2022, inaugurated the Governing Councils of four Federal Universities of Agriculture at the Idris Abdulkadir Auditorium of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Abuja. 

Inaugurated members of the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB)’s Governing Council include Alhaji Umar Ahmed, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman; Alhaji Inuwa Tahir; Barr. Patrick Omeke; Mr. Adegboyega Adebajo and Dr. Celina Shitnan Gana.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Honourable Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu stated that the newly-inaugurated members should see their appointments as a call for national service, noting that they were inaugurated on a 4-year tenure.

Represented by the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Hon. Nanah Opiah, the Hon. Minister stressed that the Governing Councils were inaugurated to provide leadership that would stimulate the rapid growth of the universities to be highly competitive and attractive. According to him, Governing Council members must ensure that Master and Strategic Plans, including Academic Briefs are strictly adhered to.

In his Vote of Thanks, the Executive Secretary (ES), NUC, Professor Abubakar Rasheed appreciated the Visitor to the universities for the approval to inaugurate the Governing Council members, while thanking the Hon. Minister of Education, the Pro-Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors and other dignitaries that were present at the occasion. 

Earlier in his Welcome Address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. David Adejo noted the importance of the event, saying that the rationale behind the establishment of the Federal Universities of Agriculture in Nigeria could not be over-emphasised.  

Highpoint of the event was the presentation of Letters of Appointment to the newly-inaugurated members.

Present at the event were the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Felix Kolawole Salako who led the FUNAAB’s team to the ceremony. With him were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Professor Christian Ikeobi; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development, Professor Babatunde Kehinde; Registrar, Dr. Bola Adekola and the Bursar, Mr. Chukwuwinke Ezekpeazu.

Also on the Vice-Chancellor’s entourage were the Deputy Registrar I, Establishment Matters (Senior), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Dawodu; Deputy Registrar II, Council Affairs, Mrs. Oluwakemi Banuso; Deputy Registrar II, Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Mr. Moses Ayanda and the Principal Public Relations Officer (Media), Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Mr. Olasunkanmi Olajide. 

Other Governing Council members of the Universities of Agriculture that were inaugurated at the event include the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University of Agriculture, Makurdi formerly Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (FUAM); Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) and the newly-established Federal University of Agriculture, Zuru (FUAZ).