The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), in partnership with the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) and Ajogbe Agro Allied Industry, has showcased the notable成果 of the African Agriculture Knowledge Transfer Partnership (AAKTP) project, a landmark initiative aimed at transforming livestock feed production in Nigeria. The project, themed “Developing Cost-Effective Nutritive Feeds from Locally Available Crop Residues and Agricultural By-Products for Livestock in Southwest Nigeria,” was celebrated as a major breakthrough in sustainable agriculture and innovation-driven livestock development.
The event, which brought together stakeholders from academia, industry, and government, highlighted the results of the two-year research collaboration designed to tackle persistent livestock feed shortages, improve productivity, and bolster technology transfer within Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Olawale Dairo, commended the project team for translating scientific research into practical, real-world solutions. He stated that the tripartite collaboration spanning Africa and Europe while integrating the private sector exemplifies FUNAAB’s growing leadership in applied research and problem-solving innovation.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, “This partnership goes beyond theory; it is practical, impactful, and results-oriented. It exemplifies the synergy between academia, industry, and government, the true catalyst for meaningful change.”
In his welcome address, the AAKTP Project Team Lead, Prof. Adebayo Shittu of FUNAAB, described the initiative as a model of research-to-industry linkage. He stressed that the collaboration between the United Kingdom and Nigeria had not only advanced livestock feed development but also contributed indirectly to reducing farmers–herders conflicts and addressing regional feed scarcity challenges.
Speaking on behalf of Ajogbe Agro Allied Industry, the Executive Chairman, Engr. Bosoye Olalere, explained that the partnership had significantly enhanced the company’s technical capacity. He said Ajogbe’s ability to produce high-quality ruminant feed using locally available by-products had improved, strengthening its goal of building a viable beef production ecosystem in Southwest Nigeria.
“Through this collaboration, we now possess commercial-level expertise in feed production, which strengthens our mission to build a viable beef ecosystem in Southwest Nigeria,” he noted.
He went on to highlight Ajogbe’s integrated operational framework consisting of cattle breeding, feed production, crop cultivation, processing, and logistics—components designed to support a sustainable livestock value chain. Olalere added that the collaboration introduced advanced breeding and feeding methods that enhance cattle weight gain and feed conversion efficiency.
Delivering a goodwill message, Prof. Christian Harrison of the University of the West of Scotland emphasized the importance of academia–industry partnerships in fostering 21st-century leadership and driving economic development through innovation.
Also speaking at the event, the Programme Manager of the Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme (OGADEP), Alhaji Akinlawon Olalekan—representing the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security praised the project as “a refreshing shift from traditional research practices.” He lauded the initiative for connecting research findings directly to end users and easing the government’s burden of converting academic studies into practical solutions.
“This project has created a seamless connection between researchers and end users. It is a model worth replicating across Nigeria,” he affirmed, adding that the state government is ready to support similar interventions.
The FUNAAB–UWS–Ajogbe partnership is now widely regarded as a model for cross-continental cooperation and private sector engagement in agriculture, demonstrating how research can be transformed into sustainable business solutions that promote food security, innovation, and rural development across Nigeria.
