The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration of the University of Ibadan, Professor Peter O. Olapegba, FNPA, fspsp, C.Psych, FSSAN, has reaffirmed the University’s commitment to strengthening partnerships that advance food security and sustainable development across Africa.

He made this reaffirmation on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, FAS fspsp, during a courtesy visit to the office of the Vice-Chancellor by a representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations.

Professor Olapegba commended the FAO for its immense contribution to research, innovation, collaboration, and development in the university and affirmed that the institution has the capacity to explore greater opportunities for future engagements. 

He appreciated the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources for ensuring that the ongoing collaboration with the FAO progressed smoothly, praising the faculty for upholding strong ethical standards in research, efficient management of resources, and fostering a culture of continued partnership with FAO.

The DVC commended the set of researchers in the Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management for their accountability, transparency, and honesty, stating that these are major factors for continued collaboration with the FAO.

He emphasized that the research focus of the collaboration addresses some of Africa’s most pressing challenges, hunger, and food insecurity while lamenting that no African country is self-sufficient.

Professor Olapegba disclosed that out of twelve partner countries with the FAO, Nigeria takes the lead in Africa, adding that the FAO initiative is targeted at small holder farmers to encourage local production. 

He lamented that one of the problems facing Nigeria is migration to urban areas in search of economic sustenance, thereby putting tremendous pressure on facilities in urban centres and reducing the quality of food produced.

Mrs. Aisha Ibrahim of the FAO, United Nations, stated that the purpose of the visit was to interact with students and researchers, ascertain the progress of ongoing projects, review accomplishments, and identify gaps.

She described the FAO’s collaboration with the University of Ibadan as long-standing and valuable and stated that the FAO was committed to monitoring and evaluating ongoing programmes to ensure project effectiveness.

Mrs Ibrahim further noted that extensive research has been conducted on farms to support both local and commercial fish farmers, stressing the importance of strengthening the partnership to ensure long-term impact and more robust outcomes for communities and the aquaculture industry.

A former Dean of the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Professor B. O. Omitoyin explained that the collaboration between the FAO and the University of Ibadan was anchored in the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, adding that the partnership has been recording significant achievement
that align with the goals of the FAO and the institutional goals of the University of Ibadan.