The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has made a significant stride in combining indigenous knowledge with scientific innovation, as it formally launched its Indigenous Knowledge Unit under the Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research (IFSERAR).
The launch, held on the university campus, featured a ground-breaking live demonstration of electricity generation using bamboo roots an experiment that successfully lit multiple electric bulbs and highlighted bamboo’s potential as a sustainable energy source. This experiment was led by Professor Samuel Oluwalana, the University’s 72nd Inaugural Lecturer and pioneer Head of the Indigenous Knowledge Unit.
In addition to showcasing renewable energy potential, Prof. Oluwalana also introduced a novel concept of bamboo wine production by initiating a fermentation process inside a living bamboo stem. The wine, expected to be nutrient-rich and detoxified after three months, adds to bamboo’s profile as a “botanical wonder,” with applications ranging from nutrition and energy to cultural and economic uses.
The event also included the cultural revival of Aadun, a traditional maize-based snack, which was prepared using indigenous techniques. Guests at the launch participated in a tasting session, celebrating the integration of local culinary heritage into modern academic research.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Babatunde Kehinde, who officially launched the Unit, reaffirmed FUNAAB’s dedication to sustainability and innovation. He praised Prof. Oluwalana’s unwavering commitment to indigenous knowledge and encouraged him to continue driving the Unit’s initiatives. The Vice-Chancellor emphasized that FUNAAB’s vast 10,200-hectare land resource positions it to lead in both community development and scientific advancement.
In his welcome remarks, Director of IFSERAR, Prof. Olusegun Idowu, described the launch as a milestone in the university’s mission to harness traditional wisdom for solving contemporary agricultural, environmental, and health challenges. He invited researchers, students, and the public to engage with the new Unit and its offerings.
The Indigenous Knowledge Unit launch aligns with FUNAAB’s broader sustainability agenda. The university recently achieved uninterrupted electricity supply through its newly commissioned 3MW Hybrid Solar Power Plant, reinforcing its status as a trailblazer in environmentally conscious innovation.
With this fusion of tradition and science, FUNAAB continues to position itself at the forefront of research that is both locally rooted and globally relevant.
