The National University Commission (NUC) has commended the management team of the Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies Iragbiji (FUADSI) over the new institution’s resource acquisition within the short period of its establishment by the Federal Government.
The Commission gave this commendation in Iragbiji recently during a verification exercise conducted to ascertain the level of preparedness of the new institution for immediate takeoff and commencement of academic programmes in the month of October, 2025.
Leading a 17-man accreditation team, the Deputy Director of Programme Planning at the NUC, Dr. Victoria Pillah inspected various facilities across the University’s temporary and reserved permanent sites.
The tour began at the temporary Administrative Block in Kala area, before moving to the Take-off site at Oke-Iragbiji, the Permanent Site at Ayekale, and the Pathfinder School of Health Technology, which currently hosts the varsity’s library and laboratories under a Memorandum of Understanding.
Among the facilities verified were the Main Auditorium, the proposed University Library, and five faculties, namely: Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Animal Production and Management, Faculty of Social, Management and Development Studies, and Faculty of Renewable and Natural Resources.
The FUADSI management team, led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mufutau Olaoye Atayese, was joined by the University Librarian, Professor Wasiu Olayide Lawal; Registrar, Mr. Afolabi Muritala Tunde; Bursar, Mr. Akeem Adewuyi Adeagbo; and Information Officer, Dr. Jimoh Olorede, in receiving the NUC officials.
At the conclusion of the inspection, the team returned to the temporary Administrative Block for an Exit Briefing — the formal session where the NUC presents its preliminary observations.
Dr. Pillah, who spoke on behalf of the Commission, recalled that the Federal Ministry of Education had earlier visited the institution in June 2025, following the President’s approval of FUADSI among the newly established universities.
She explained that the present visit was to evaluate the University’s readiness to commence academic activities.
“We are here at the directive of the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, to verify the programmes of this new university. We inspected five faculties. What we did was not to witch-hunt but to add value to the Nigerian University system. We highlighted where the management needs improvement in the next two years,” she said.
Dr. Pillah noted that while the final decision rests with the Commission’s management, the visiting team was impressed by the synergy between FUADSI’s leadership, the Iragbiji community, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdur-Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi Odundun IV, and relevant stakeholders, including the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.
On the prospects of commencing admissions in October, she remarked: “If the Commission issues a positive approval, the University can go on to admit students in October. It depends on the outcome of the report when submitted to the management for consideration.”
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Atayese described the exercise as encouraging, expressing optimism that the University would scale through successfully.
“My assessment of the NUC resource verification is fulfilling. While we do not have access to the final result, I believe it will favour us as a young institution. Judging from their body language, I think it is feasible to commence admissions in October,” he said.
He assured the Iragbiji community of significant socio-economic impact once the University takes off. “The population of this town will increase, the economy will improve, and the University will be a centre of attraction,” he said.
On his vision for FUADSI, Professor Atayese pledged to leave behind a legacy of agricultural revolution: “My legacy would be that anyone who studies here will never lack employment opportunities. We will introduce students to modern agricultural practices that will make agriculture attractive to the youth, not the traditional subsistence method. Agriculture is a global status profession, and we will position FUADSI to lead in that regard.”
The final report of the verification exercise is expected to be presented to the NUC management in Abuja, after which an official pronouncement on FUADSI’s readiness for admissions will be made.
