FCAIB Best Students Awarded ₦0.75m At College’s 46th Graduation Ceremony

…As Mary Ajiboye Emerges Overall Best 2024/25 HND Student

BY ABU-SATAR HAMED

IBADAN, OYO STATE, NIGERIA — In a historic gesture at the 46th Graduation Ceremony of the Federal College of Agriculture, Moor Plantation, Ibadan (FCAIB), Prof. Kolawole Adebayo of the Livelihoods Support and Development Centre pledged a total of ₦750,000 in cash awards to the institution’s best graduating students.

According to the announcement, the sum comprises ₦500,000 for the Best Higher National Diploma (HND) Graduate and ₦250,000 for the Best National Diploma (ND) Graduate, presented on behalf of the Livelihoods Support and Development Centre.

The pledge was made during the 46th Graduation Ceremony for the Award of Higher National Diploma (HND), National Diploma (ND), and the Presentation of Prizes, held on Wednesday, December 11, 2025, at the institution, where Mary Ajiboye emerged as the Overall Best HND Student for the 2024/2025 academic session.

This was disclosed in a release e-signed and made available to StarTrend Int’l Magazine and online platform by Wilson Oyekemi, Head of the Media Department, FCAIB.

Prof. Adebayo who was the Guest Lecturer at the event was said to be the first person to make a donation of its kind in the history of the College.

The graduation lecture – themed: “Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Sustained Development: Thoughts for the Future of Agricultural Training in Nigeria”, and delivered by Prof. Adebayo of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), was widely described as highly instructive and forward-looking.

Prof. Adebayo, who is also the Team Leader, International and Rural Development at the Livelihoods Support and Development Centre, Nigeria, emphasized that modern agricultural education must integrate science, business and soft skills to produce job creators rather than job seekers.

He outlined future-focused strategies, including one-year innovative food system programmes for senior secondary school science students; the revival of broad agricultural skill programmes such as water management, driving, carpentry, welding and storage; the development of commercial-grade campuses where farms serve as living laboratories for finance, logistics and data; and the creation of startup support systems linking graduates to land, finance, mechanisation and extension services.

Charging FCAIB graduates to embrace innovation, build strong networks and serve the global food market, Prof. Adebayo noted that expertise combined with innovation is a pathway to generational wealth.

The Provost of the Federal College of Agriculture, Moor Plantation, Ibadan (FCAIB), Prof. Jonathan J. Atungwu, in his speech at the event, announced the automatic employment of the immediate past President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), Comrade Oluwapelumi Folarin, upon the completion of his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

He further assured all graduating students that their NYSC enrolment had been duly completed, adding that their results and certificates would be issued immediately on graduation day.

Prof. Atungwu congratulated the graduands for being worthy in character and learning, describing FCAIB students as disciplined, well-behaved and exemplary in conduct.

Reflecting on his assumption of office on April 22, 2025, Prof. Atungwu commended the students for their discipline and leadership qualities, urging them to remain good ambassadors of the College wherever they find themselves.

He urged them to aspire to leadership positions in society, including Governor, Minister, Honourable members and Chief Executives, while also enjoining them to take advantage of the FUNAAB Affiliate Programme with FCAIB to further their education.

The Provost expressed profound gratitude to dignitaries, parents, staff and students for their support and dedication, while also appreciating the Management and staff of the College for their unwavering commitment to the success of both the students and the institution.

The ceremony was formally declared open by the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, CON, who was ably represented by Prof. Muhammad Lawal Attanda, Executive Director/CEO of the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan.

For the 2024/2025 academic session, a total of 268 students graduated from the College, with 251 in Full-Time (HND and ND) programmes and 17 were Part-Time students. Of this number, 21 HND Full -Time students and 9 ND students graduated with a distinction grade.

Miss Ajiboye, Busayo Mary of the Department of Agriculture (Crop Production Option) emerged as the Overall Best HND Student with a CGPA of 3.86, while Hussein, Abdulbasit Temitope of the Department of Agricultural Technology emerged as the Best ND Student with a CGPA of 3.79.

Graduation prizes included the Provost’s Prize, Dean’s Prize, Departmental Prize, Dr. B.F. Fato’s Prize, Peace Prize, Alumni Prize, Dr. A.S. Amusat’s Prize and other merit awards, with certificates and prizes presented by the Deans of Schools.

Miss Ajiboye, Busayo Mary was the highlight of the ceremony, winning five prizes, while Hussein, Abdulbasit Temitope received three prizes.

Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of sister institutions, the Alumni Association and the Moor Plantation community.

In her closing remarks, the Chairman of the Ceremonial Committee, Dr. (Mrs) B.F. Fato, expressed appreciation to all attendees for their presence and wished them a safe journey home.

Dignitaries at the event included the Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Dr. Abubakar A. Dabban, represented by Dr. Ogunreku S. Ayoola of the Federal Cooperative College, Eleyele, Ibadan, while the Chairman of the Governing Board, FCAIB, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, was represented by the Provost, Prof. Jonathan J. Atungwu. Other distinguished guests included Prof. Kolawole Adebayo (FUNAAB), Dr. Ibraheem O. Lawal (Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan), Dr. Bankole, FCAIB Alumni President, Alhaji Solarin, Alumni representative, as well as representatives from FCAH&PT, IAR&T and members of the Moor Plantation community.

The ceremony was also attended by the College Management and staff, including the Deputy Provost (Administration), Dr. Musiliu O. Adenekan; Deputy Provost (Academics), Dr. (Mrs) V.E. Okpeze; the College Registrar, Mr. Abimbade S. Abass (represented by Mrs. Olanike Popoola); and other principal officers, Deans, Heads of Departments and Units, staff and students.

The 46th Graduation Ceremony stood out as a remarkable celebration of academic excellence, innovation and a strong pointer to the future of agricultural education in Nigeria.