The Governing Council of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) has approves the appointment of Professor Olusola Babatunde Kehinde as the 7th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University.
The approval followed Special Meeting of the Council on 7th March, 2023, according to a release by the Registrar and Secretary to the Governing Council, Dr. ‘Bola Adekola quoted by the Head, Directorate of Public Relations, Mr.Kola Adepoju.
Mr. Adepoju noted that the appointment is a product of keenly contested competition for the position, stating that Prof. Kehinde emerges the best among the fourteen candidates who applied for the position.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Alhaji Umar Ahmed, CNA while announcing the appointment last night, congratulated Professor Kehinde on his appointment and charged him to work assiduously to uplift the standard of the institution in ensuring that FUNAAB continue to soar higher in the community of Universities globally.
Responding to his appointment, Kehinde expressed deep appreciation to the Governing Council for finding him worthy of the new office and the trust reposed in him.
He promised to implement all the programmes highlighted in his vision document presented during the appointment process. He promised to promote peace, quality and cut-edge researches, while putting in all his energies to make FUNAAB a 21st Century University in a short time.
Professor Olusola Babatunde Kehinde a native of Gbagura, Abeokuta North Local Government Area (LGA), was born on 22nd December, 1964. He attended Abeokuta Grammar School, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta South LGA from 1976 to 1981 for his secondary education and later proceeded to Ogun State Polytechnic (now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic), Ojere where he obtained his Higher School Certificate (HSC) after completion of his education. He was awarded a Bachelor and Master of Science Degree in Agricultural Biology as well as a Doctor of Philosophy (Plant Breeding and Genetics) from University of Ibadan, Oyo State in 1987, 1990 and 1994 respectively.
Professor Kehinde became an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Plant Breeding and Science Technology, University of Agriculture (now Federal University of Agriculture), Abeokuta in 1994. He rose through the ranks and is currently a Professor in the same Department since 1st October, 2007 till date. Administratively, Professor Kehinde was the Dean, College of Plant Science and Crop Production between 2009 and 2011. In 2021, he became the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development) of the institution. He is currently the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the institution.
Professor Kehinde is associated with several academic and professional bodies which include:
(1) Fellow, Institute of Health and Safety, Canada;
(2) Fellow, Association of Applied Information Management Professionals (FAIMP);
(3) Fellow, Genetics Society of Nigeria;
(4) Member, African Crop Science Society; and
(5) Member, Horticultural Society of Nigeria.
He is married to Professor Iyabode Adekemi Kehinde with three (3) children.
