COLPLANT Debuts Maiden Lecture Series on Leadership and Followership

By Durodola Makinde and Femi Dansu

The College of Plant Science and Crop Production (COLPLANT), today, February 18, 2026, hosted its maiden Lecture Series, marking a historic milestone in the College’s academic journey. The event, themed “Complexities of Academic Leadership and Followership: Nexus for Success,” brought together staff, students, and distinguished guests for an engaging and intellectually stimulating discourse.

The lecture was delivered by Prof. Francis Abayomi Showemimo, Head of the Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Technology (PBST), who explored the intricate dynamics between leadership and followership within academic institutions.

In his Opening Remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, expressed appreciation to staff and guests for witnessing the lecture. He described the theme as highly germane to both the newly employed and present staff members, stressing its relevance to strengthening institutional systems, enhancing impact, and deepening community engagement.

The Vice-Chancellor urged staff to remain diligent, disciplined, and punctual in the discharge of their duties, encouraging them to lead by example and embrace positive change. According to him, meaningful transformation in Nigeria must begin within institutions such as FUNAAB.

He also acknowledged members of the Abeokuta Club for their presence, noting that their participation had enhanced the University’s strong Town-and-Gown relationship. Prof. Kehinde emphasised the need to uphold the legacy of sound leadership and responsible followership established by the University’s founding fathers and successive administrations, which has contributed to FUNAAB’s strong standing nationally and internationally.

He concluded by challenging staff to project exemplary leadership beyond Nigeria’s borders, ensuring that the global academic community continues to recognise the high standards of governance, discipline, and excellence synonymous with FUNAAB.

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Earlier in his Welcome Address, the Dean of COLPLANT, Prof. Bolarinwa Senjobi, described the occasion as a historic achievement for the College. While noting that seminar presentations and scholarly engagements have been part of the College’s tradition since its early days at the Isale-Igbein campus, he explained that the newly inaugurated Lecture Series represents a structured, management-supported, and formally recognised institutional platform.

Prof. Senjobi revealed that the initiative was first conceived in 2016 during his tenure as Deputy Dean, and was aimed at creating a forum for deep intellectual engagement on leadership, scholarship, policy, and institutional development. He acknowledged that earlier efforts, including proposals by the Pioneer Dean, could not materialise due to logistical constraints. Expressing gratitude to God, University Management, and members of staff for their support, the Dean noted that the realisation of the Lecture Series reflected collective perseverance, patience, and shared purpose.

He outlined the objectives of the initiative to include promoting robust intellectual engagement, mentoring emerging academic leaders, strengthening understanding of leadership and followership, fostering unity, and ensuring institutional continuity within the College. He described the theme of the maiden lecture as timely and strategic, emphasising the interdependence of leadership and followership in achieving institutional success.

Delivering the lecture, Prof. Showemimo highlighted that the success of any institution depends largely on the optimal utilisation of resources that are financial, infrastructural, informational, and, most importantly, human capital. He underscored the significance of strong interpersonal relationships, transparency, empathy, and emotional intelligence in fostering institutional growth.

According to him, effective leadership and responsible followership are indispensable in overcoming organisational challenges and achieving set objectives. He further emphasised the importance of structured reward systems, recognition, and mentorship in boosting staff motivation and engagement, advocating deliberate and systematic approaches to leadership development within the University.

Among dignitaries in attendance were the former Ag. Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ololade Enikuomehin; Chairman of the Lecture, Prof. Akinola Popoola; Deans and Directors; Heads of Units, staff members of COLPLANT, and other members of the University Community.