FUNAAB VC, Prof. Oluwafemi Balogun speaking at the occasion while from left is the DVC (D), Prof. Kolawole Salako, DVC (A), Prof. Toyin Arowolo, the Chairman, NUC Verification Team, Prof. Aminu Mukailu and the Dean, COLMAS, Prof. Banji Oyelere.
The Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Professor Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun, has assured the Verification Team from the National Universities Commission (NUC), of the University’s preparedness for the accreditation of its newly-established College of Management Sciences (COLMAS).
Prof. Balogun gave the assurance during a courtesy visit by the Verification Team, led by its Chairman and a former Vice-Chancellor of the Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, Professor Aminu Mukailu.
According to Professor Balogun, his administration had since the pronouncement of the Federal Government, that specialized Universities should diversify, had been working towards attaining the conventional status for the University, with agriculture as its flagship programme.
The Vice-Chancellor noted that the government’s decision was timely, considering the fact that existing universities in the country were inadequate, to admit the teeming Nigerian youths, clamouring for university admission, hence, the need for monolithic universities to transmute to conventional, with more opportunities for increased admission rate.
Professor Balogun assured the team that the University had followed due process in the establishment of the new College by seeking the approval of both Council and Senate of the University, as well as ensuring commensurate provision of facilities.
Professor Balogun pointed out that the edifice on ground for the commencement of the College would convince the team of its readiness for accreditation, stressing that the University had been in regular contacts with academic experts and seasoned professionals, in the drawing of academic briefs for its proposed new programmes, in Management, Law, Medicine, among others.
He expressed the optimism that FUNAAB will fully explore the potentials of its youthful dynamism to emerge as the leading destination of choice and household name, among Nigerian universities.
Responding, the Chairman of the Verification Team commended the initiative of the University Management in establishing the College of Management Sciences while promising that his team would provide the necessary advice, needed to actualize the dream of running the College.
Professor Mukailu said the verification exercise would entail examining what is on ground and providing advice that would consolidate the University’s efforts as well as helping the NUC to make judicious decisions.