The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has unveiled a ₦1 million annual prize to reward outstanding performance in farm practical exercises, marking a significant boost for practical agricultural training in Nigeria.
The announcement was made on Thursday, March 5, 2026, by Prof. Emmanuel Fakoya, Dean of the College of Agricultural Management and Rural Development at FUNAAB, during the university’s 110th inaugural lecture at the Prof. Oluwafemi Balogun Ceremonial Building on campus. The prize, which will run annually for the next ten years, is set to commence with the university’s upcoming 34th convocation.
Prof. Fakoya explained that the award, introduced in honour of his late father, Pa Samuel Fakoya, is aimed at encouraging exceptional performance among students enrolled in the Farm Practical Year Programme. “Excellence in practical farm work should be celebrated and rewarded to drive motivation and raise institutional standards,” he said.
While delivering his lecture titled “Measurement and Scaling: Bedrock of Robust Agricultural Extension Research Analysis”, Prof. Fakoya highlighted the need for empirical evidence-based policy formulation in agriculture. He urged policymakers to rely on standardized research and measurement tools to address challenges in land management, livestock production, and rural development.
He further advocated for multidisciplinary collaboration among agricultural economists, statisticians, sociologists, and extension specialists, recommending the establishment of specialized centres for measurement and scaling studies to enhance research methodologies and outcomes.
In his remarks, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, praised Prof. Fakoya for his scholarly contributions, noting that improving research methodology and data credibility is critical to advancing Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda.
The ₦1 million prize is expected to incentivize excellence in practical agricultural work, cultivating a new generation of skilled practitioners ready to contribute to national food security and rural development initiatives. This initiative positions FUNAAB as a leader in integrating practical experience with academic excellence in Nigeria’s agricultural education sector.
