Yayi Donates Two-Storey Hospital Complex to FUNAAB, As University Intensifies Global Ranking Drive

ValidViewNetwork can report that the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations and Ogun State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, is constructing a two-storey hospital complex within the premises of the University Health Services at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB).

The Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, made this known on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at the closing ceremony of the Two-Day Train-the-Trainers Workshop on University Ranking Metrics organised by the FUNAAB Ranking Advisory Committee (FURAC).

Prof. Kehinde, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Olusegun Idowu, disclosed that the project was being executed on a Build-and-Furnish basis.

The hospital complex is expected to be completed and commissioned for use by December 2026, significantly boosting healthcare delivery for the university community and its environs.

A Pattern of Infrastructure Development

ValidViewNetwork understands that the FUNAAB hospital project is part of a broader pattern of infrastructure development by Senator Yayi across Ogun State.

The senator, who represents Ogun West Senatorial District, has been involved in the construction of four Primary Health Care Centres, three Intensive Care Unit (ICU) centres in hospitals, three modern Police Stations, and seven ultra-modern town halls across the five local government areas of his senatorial district.

Yayi has also been in the news recently for facilitating urgent medical attention for veteran Nollywood actor Alhaji Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, who passed away on Sunday, August 23, 2026, after battling stage-four cancer.

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ValidViewNetwork notes that Senator Yayi was formally adopted as the APC consensus candidate for the Ogun State governorship election in April 2026 and won the party’s governorship primaries in May 2026.

The party’s national headquarters has since reaffirmed his candidacy.

University Intensifies Global Ranking Efforts

ValidViewNetwork reports that the university has intensified efforts to strengthen its global visibility, enhance research impact and improve its standing in international university rankings.

At the workshop, the Vice-Chancellor described the initiative as a strategic intervention designed to improve FUNAAB’s global visibility and strengthen its performance in international university rankings.

Key Presentations at the Workshop

ValidViewNetwork has learned that the workshop featured several key presentations aimed at improving the university’s ranking performance:

· Mr. Temitope Soretire, Ag. Director, Directorate of Information and Communication Technology Services (DICTS), presented on “Webometrics Ranking: Presence, Visibility, Transparency and Excellence”

· Prof. Abayomi Owolabi, the University Librarian, spoke on “Repositories Ranking: The Size, Scholar, Visibility and Rich Files”

· Prof. Adeboye Fafiolu, Director, World Bank Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment (CEADESE), presented on “International Outlook: Improving the Linkages and Collaborative Drive of FUNAAB”

· Dr. Adekunle Oyelami addressed “Responsible and Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence in Academic Writing and Research”

· Mr. Olukayode Osinuga, the Bursar, spoke on “Establishing a Robust Industry Partnership Towards Increasing the Annual Income of FUNAAB”

· Engr. Kehinde Bamisile, Director, Physical Planning, presented on “Provision of Infrastructural Facilities: A Basic Requirement”

· Otunba Bolaji Gbadamosi, Alumni Global President, represented by Mr. Biodun Ajayi, Director, Alumni Ventures, spoke on “Alumni Involvement in All Development Phases of FUNAAB”

Ranking as a Collective Responsibility

ValidViewNetwork understands that the Chairman of FURAC and Director of the Directorate of Academic Planning, Prof. Biodun Badmus, stressed that improving FUNAAB’s ranking should not be the responsibility of a single directorate or academic unit.

He urged academic and non-teaching units to collaborate to provide accurate data, document institutional achievements, strengthen research visibility, improve facilities, develop partnerships, and respond promptly to ranking-related requests.

ValidViewNetwork notes that FUNAAB has recorded 5,901 documents involving 3,378 authors on the Scopus/SciVerse platform, with Agricultural and Biosciences remaining its strongest research area, with International collaboration accounting for about 38 per cent of the university’s research output.

What This Means

ValidViewNetwork can analyse the implications of these developments:

1. Healthcare Infrastructure Boost: The donation of a two-storey hospital complex represents a significant boost to healthcare infrastructure at FUNAAB. The facility, expected to be completed by December 2026, will serve the university community and surrounding areas, addressing a critical need for quality healthcare services.

2. Political Capital and Governance:Senator Yayi’s infrastructure projects across Ogun State, including the FUNAAB hospital, reflect a strategy of leveraging completed projects as tangible proof of administrative readiness.

As the APC governorship candidate for the 2027 elections, these projects serve as evidence of his capacity to deliver on campaign promises.

3. FUNAAB’s Global Ambitions: The university’s intensified efforts to improve its global ranking position it as a rising player in higher education.

With a second-place ranking in Nigeria and 26th in Sub-Saharan Africa in the maiden Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Africa Rankings, FUNAAB is positioning itself for greater international recognition.

4. The Role of Partnerships: The workshop underscored the importance of collaboration, between academic units, with alumni, and with international partners, in achieving ranking success. The emphasis on documenting achievements and aligning research with the Sustainable Development Goals reflects a strategic approach to global visibility.

Final Thoughts

ValidViewNetwork can conclude that Senator Yayi’s donation of a two-storey hospital complex to FUNAAB represents a significant contribution to the university’s infrastructure, while the institution’s intensified efforts to improve its global ranking position it for greater international recognition.

The convergence of political ambition and academic excellence at FUNAAB reflects a broader trend in Nigerian higher education, where infrastructure development and institutional ranking are increasingly seen as interconnected goals.

ValidViewNetwork will continue to monitor developments at FUNAAB and in Ogun State politics as the 2027 elections approach.