The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, has described the intended partnership between UI and University of Florida, United States of America, as timely and beneficial to Nigeria’s agricultural sector, saying that it is a welcome initiative.
The VC said this while receiving a delegation from the University of Florida during a courtesy visit to his office, on a mission to establish strategic partnership aimed at strengthening agricultural research, dairy production, forage science, and sustainable farming practices in Nigeria.
The delegation was led by Professor Adegbola T. Adesogan.
Professor Adebowale noted that while research output in Nigerian universities remains substantial, the major challenge lies in translating research findings into practical solutions for farmers.
He drew from his experience at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, where agriculture was the focus of a national policy programme and lamented that the country’s weak agricultural extension system is a major obstacle to agricultural development.
He contrasted Nigeria’s situation with countries such as Israel, where strong collaboration between government, researchers, and farmers have resulted in higher productivity despite limited natural resources.
The Vice-Chancellor also outlined the growing international profile of the
University of Ibadan and revealed that the institution currently has more than 200 active Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), explaining that the MoUs have been digitalized for proper monitoring.
He expressed optimism that the proposed collaboration would promote research, innovation, technology transfer, and capacity building, particularly in precision agriculture, livestock production, and sustainable food systems, ultimately contributing to improved food security and agricultural productivity in Nigeria.
The leader of the visiting team, Professor Adesogan, who is an Associate Vice President for Global Engagement at the University of Florida, and an alumnus of the University of Ibadan, said that the visit was a homecoming and reaffirmed his commitment to giving back to his alma mater.
He disclosed that the University of Florida is a comprehensive university and one of the leading public universities in the United States with significant investments in artificial intelligence (AI), to have over 300 AI professors and 200 AI courses across various disciplines.
Professor Adesogan explained that Nigeria was selected as one of the University of Florida’s priority partner countries for global collaboration, acknowledging the University of Ibadan as a key institutional partner due to its longstanding academic reputation and research capacity.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the University of Florida to promoting global engagement, research collaboration and innovation-driven agricultural development through a partnership with the University of Ibadan.
The Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Professor T. O. Ososanya, who led the team to the office of the Vice-Chancellor, said the visit was to explore areas of collaboration between the two institutions, particularly in advancing agricultural development through research, innovation and capacity building.
Professor Ososanya said that the collaboration would initially focus on dairy science, forage research, feed and fodder production, while providing opportunities for broader partnerships in agricultural innovation and food security.
Among the visiting team were Ms. Maria Mailhos, Mr. Blade Koons, Dr Marcelo Wallau, Dr Olanrewaju Olabode, Professor Bamikole Musibau and Dr Olaleru Ibikunle.
