China, FUNAAB Forge New Alliance for Food Security and Medicinal Research

Abeokuta,Ogun State — In a landmark diplomatic and academic development, the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Ms. Yan Yuqing, visited the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) on August 12, 2025, promising to strengthen the bilateral ties between China and Nigeria in education, agricultural research, and cultural exchange.

Historic Visit Marks New Chapter

Ms. Yan Yuqing led a high-level delegation from the Chinese consulate, including top officials from economic and trade councils, for a series of strategic discussions and facility tours. The visit began with a formal courtesy meeting and progressed to a guided tour of key university infrastructure—highlighting the 3MW Hybrid Solar Station, research greenhouses, and the Central Laboratories at the Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment (CEADESE).

Building Academic Bridges

Ms. Yuqing praised FUNAAB’s expansive land resources and agricultural achievements, pledging enhanced cooperation between the university and leading Chinese agricultural institutions. Plans include facilitating collaborative research, supporting joint seminars in Beijing and other cities, and promoting greater laboratory partnerships. She also reaffirmed support for the on-campus Chinese Training Centre, which aims to boost Chinese language, cultural, and traditional medicine awareness. A new charity programme to benefit low-income students and staff at FUNAAB is also on the horizon.

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Expanding Opportunities in Science,Engineering, and Medicine

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Babatunde Kehinde lauded the visit as a vital moment for the university, citing ongoing collaborations in agriculture, trade, and academic training. He emphasized the aspiration to establish a full-fledged Chinese Language School at FUNAAB, serving as a hub for language and cultural exchange for Ogun State and beyond. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Olukayode Akinyemi, highlighted China’s contributions to training in green and solar energy, openness to joint degrees, professional staff development, and extended cooperation across multiple scientific disciplines, including medicine and engineering.

Priority Sectors and Vision for the Future

Mr. Li Zhensheng, researcher with the China-Africa Economic and Trade Promotion Council, outlined six priority areas for future collaboration: food security, manufacturing, mineral resource development, oil and gas refining, trade services, and education. Exciting new proposals include connecting FUNAAB’s health clinic to Chinese medical expertise and launching pioneering projects in mushroom cultivation and medicinal research.

Broader Impact and Mutual Growth

FUNAAB’s robust partnership network continues to expand, with prior agreements involving South China Agricultural University, Hubei University of Technology, and Chinese agribusinesses focusing on crop production, capacity-building, and practical training. The university was recently selected for the prestigious China-Africa Hundred Universities Cooperation Plan, paired with Lanzhou University—China’s top agricultural research institution—to drive sustainable agricultural development and allied research.

Cultural Diplomacy and Social Commitment

Throughout the event, both sides emphasized their commitment to deepening cultural understanding alongside economic and scholarly exchange, with FUNAAB set to play a regional leadership role in China-Nigeria partnership initiatives. Ms. Yan Yuqing’s visit was widely hailed as a significant milestone, setting the stage for further collaboration, innovation, and improved livelihoods for students, staff, and communities in Ogun State and beyond.