As part of efforts to strengthen academic standards and institutional accountability, the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has intensified capacity development for its academic staff through a quality assurance-focused training workshop.
The one-day workshop, organised by the Quality Control and Assurance Unit under the Directorate of Academic Planning, brought together lecturers and academic administrators to deepen understanding of quality academic delivery, ethical teaching practices and compliance with regulatory benchmarks.
Declaring the programme open, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Olusegun Idowu, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, emphasised that quality assurance remains central to the survival and relevance of Nigerian universities. He noted that universities must continually update curricula, adopt effective teaching methods and uphold academic integrity in order to contribute meaningfully to national development.
According to Prof. Idowu, higher education institutions must align teaching, research and community engagement with national priorities and global development frameworks, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while equipping students with skills for innovation, entrepreneurship and problem-solving.
The Head of the Quality Control and Assurance Unit, Prof. Saliu Amolegbe, said the workshop marked a strategic step towards institutionalising a culture of quality across the University. He explained that the integration of the Unit with the Directorate of Academic Planning was designed to enhance academic performance and ensure compliance with National Universities Commission (NUC) standards.
Prof. Amolegbe added that the training was targeted particularly at newly recruited lecturers, to familiarise them with professional ethics, quality benchmarks and FUNAAB’s academic culture.
In his keynote address, the Project Officer for Quality Assurance and Accreditation at the Association of African Universities (AAU), Prof. Adewale Obadina, described quality assurance as an ongoing institutional culture rather than a documentation exercise. He stressed that continuous evaluation, professionalism and ethical conduct are essential for sustaining academic excellence and global competitiveness.
Presentations at the technical sessions focused on examination ethics, teaching standards, and the transition from theoretical research to innovation-driven and commercialised outputs. Speakers highlighted the role of technology and ethical safeguards in maintaining credibility within the evolving academic landscape.
The event concluded with the presentation of an award to the Vice-Chancellor in recognition of his support for quality assurance initiatives, underscoring FUNAAB’s commitment to strengthening its academic systems and outcomes.
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