The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) has taken a significant step in strengthening its internationalisation agenda through a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with the Blekinge Institute of Technology (BTH), Karlskrona, Sweden. The agreement was reached between the Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, Babatunde Kehinde, and the President of BTH, Henric Johnson, who was represented by the institution’s Country Director, Kayode Adekunle. The pact establishes a structured framework for collaboration in teaching, research, and innovation.
Under the agreement, both institutions will explore staff and student mobility opportunities at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The partnership also covers joint research initiatives, collaborative academic programmes, exchange of scholarly publications, and the co-organisation of conferences and seminars aimed at fostering deeper intellectual engagement and intercultural exchange.
Prof. Kehinde described the development as a reflection of FUNAAB’s expanding global vision and determination to achieve international relevance through purposeful alliances. He noted that despite being a relatively young institution, FUNAAB has continued to position itself strategically within the global academic community by prioritising partnerships that offer measurable benefits to students and faculty members.
Prof. Adekunle, who has facilitated academic linkages between Nigeria and Sweden since 2009, reaffirmed his personal commitment to ensuring the success of the collaboration. He commended FUNAAB’s infrastructural and academic progress, emphasising that the true value of international cooperation lies in sustained investment in students and human capital development.
Also speaking, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Olusegun Idowu, underscored the importance of integrity, transparency, and trust in sustaining the partnership. He noted that ethical leadership and institutional responsibility would be critical in guaranteeing long-term impact, particularly through virtual lectures, postgraduate mentorship, and joint research initiatives.
The deliberations were attended by key officials, including the Dean of the College of Engineering, Adedayo Badejo; Acting Director of the Directorate of Research, Innovations and Partnerships, Oluwagbemiga Adeleye; Head of the Office of Advancement, Olujinmi Ogundimu; and Femi Pearce, among others.
A major highlight of the engagement was the tour of the College of Engineering and the Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment, reinforcing the shared commitment to advancing innovation in line with global sustainable development goals.
