Final-year students of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) have taken a bold step beyond classroom learning, engaging directly with industry practices during an educational field trip aimed at deepening their understanding of veterinary entrepreneurship.
The excursion, held on March 13, 2026, saw the 600-level students visit Totmak Farmers Centre in Arigbajo-Ifo, Ogun State, where they were exposed to real-world applications of veterinary medicine, pharmaceutical operations, and agribusiness management.
The initiative, designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice, reflects a growing emphasis on experiential learning in Nigerian universities, particularly in professional and science-based disciplines.
The Nigeria Education News gathered through a phone interview with some of the participating students that the field experience significantly broadened their understanding of career opportunities beyond conventional clinical practice.
One of the students described the visit as “an eye-opening experience,” noting that it revealed the business side of veterinary medicine, especially in areas such as drug distribution, consultancy, and livestock health management.
Another student added that the exposure helped them appreciate the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship in sustaining a career in veterinary medicine, particularly in Nigeria’s evolving agricultural sector.
At the facility, the students were taken through structured tours of key operational units, including the veterinary pharmacy, diagnostic room, post-mortem section, feed store, vaccine chamber, and media unit.
They were also introduced to critical industry practices such as quality control, inventory management, biosecurity measures, and the role of modern technology in pharmaceutical marketing and regulatory compliance.
The visit further highlighted the importance of maintaining strict hygiene standards and adopting efficient operational systems in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of veterinary products.
The 44 students were divided into four groups to allow for a more interactive and detailed learning experience, with each group guided through the facility by professionals.
The field trip was coordinated by the Head of the Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, Olubukola Adenubi, alongside academic staff including Joshua Oyewusi, Samuel Attama, Olufunke Oliyide, and Damilare Dosunmu, as well as the Laboratory Technologist, Charles Leigh.
Industry experts at Totmak Farmers Centre also engaged the students in discussions on professional consultancy, livestock management, and the dynamics of running a veterinary enterprise in Nigeria.
Students who spoke with The Nigeria Education News emphasized that the trip reinforced the need for graduates to be job creators rather than job seekers, especially in the agricultural and veterinary sectors.
As the students returned to campus, many expressed renewed motivation to explore entrepreneurial pathways within veterinary medicine, armed with practical insights gained from the field.
