- September 30, 2025
- Posted by: itmanager
- Category: Education, Innovation, University
On behalf of our Founder and Chancellor, Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, FCI.Arb, FNAILS, LL.D.hc, London, LL.D.hc, Unilag, LL.D.hc, Unijos, LL.D.hc, UNAd, D.Litt.hc, KSU, FKC (London); management, staff, and students of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), ranked by 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Ranking (THEIR) as no. 1 university in Nigeria (2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025), no. 3 in Africa and 84th in the world.
With immense joy and a deep sense of fulfilment I welcome you all to this historic occasion of the inauguration of the Institute of Agricultural Value Chain Development and Food Security here at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti.
Today marks not just the birth of an Institute, but the beginning of a movement to reshape agricultural practice, research, and innovation in Nigeria.
The Significance of Agriculture at ABUAD
From its inception, Afe Babalola University has been deeply committed to practical, functional, and development-driven education. Agriculture holds a special place in this vision. It is not merely a profession; it is the foundation of life and the bedrock of national development.
Yet, despite Nigeria’s vast arable land, abundant human resources, and favourable climate, our food systems continue to struggle with inefficiencies, post-harvest losses, poor or non-existent storage facilities and gaps across the value chain. These are the very challenges and many more that this Institute seeks to address and profer workable solution
The Role of the Institute of Agricultural Value Chain Development and Food Security
The Institute of Agricultural Value Chain Development and Food Security (IAVCDFS) is envisioned to serve multiple vital functions. It will operate as a hub for research and innovation in modern agricultural practices and technologies, while also providing a platform for capacity building by equipping farmers, students, and entrepreneurs with the skills required to thrive in the agri-food sector. Beyond this, the Institute will act as a bridge linking academia, industry, and policy, ensuring that research outcomes are translated into practical solutions. Ultimately, it will serve as a key driver of food security through initiatives designed to enhance production, processing, storage, and distribution.
By focusing on the entire agricultural value chain, we are not only looking at how food is grown but also how it is processed, marketed, and made accessible to all Nigerians at affordable prices in sustainable ways. This is where the ABUAD Industrial Park becomes both inevitable and essential.
ABUAD’s Vision for the Future
This Institute will help us move from subsistence agriculture to agribusiness and agro-industrial development. It will inspire a new generation of agricultural leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers who will see opportunities rather than limitations.
We envision ABUAD as a centre of excellence in agricultural value chain, a place where knowledge is not confined to textbooks but applied in the fields, factories, markets and sustainable distribution in our state, country and even in Africa.
Acknowledgements
Let me on this note express our profound gratitude to our Founder and Chancellor, Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, FCI.Arb, FNAILS, LL.D.hc, London, LL.D.hc, Unilag, LL.D.hc, Unijos, LL.D.hc, UNAd, D.Litt.hc, KSU, FKC (London), whose visionary leadership and relentless commitment to excellence remain the driving force behind our motivation and progress.
We are equally grateful to all our partners, our stakeholders and all leadership. Finally, we acknowledge the dedication of our faculty, researchers, and students, whose passion and commitment will propel the Institute to greater heights in food production and security.
Closing
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the inauguration of this Institute is more than a ceremonial event. It is a call to action. It is a reminder that the journey to food production and security begins with deliberate investment, innovation, structured actions and collaboration.
As we declare this Institute open, I invite all stakeholders to join hands with us in building a future where no Nigerian goes hungry, where farmers are empowered, and where agriculture becomes a true engine of prosperity.
Thank you, and may this new dawn bring lasting impact to our university, our communities, nation, and humanity.
God bless ABUAD and the Nigeria.
Prof. E. Smaranda OLARINDE, FCArb, FCAI
Vice-Chancellor, ABUAD, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria