FUNAAB’s 106th Inaugural Lecturer Calls for Improved Animal Welfare, Gives Department ₦1 Million

By Emeka Oluka & Bolanle Olawepo

The 106th Inaugural Lecturer of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof. Adetola Ajadi on behalf of his siblings, announced a ₦1 million donation to the Best Graduating Student in the Department of Veterinary Surgery and Theriogenology, to be awarded at the University’s 33rd Convocation Ceremony.

Prof. Ajadi, a renowned scholar in Veterinary Surgery and Theriogenology, made the announcement today, October 29, 2025, while delivering his lecture titled “The Silent Voices: Recognizing and Relieving Pain in Animals for Better Welfare.”

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In his insightful presentation, Prof. Ajadi made a passionate appeal for improved animal welfare through enhanced scientific understanding and evidence-based policy reforms. He emphasised that recognising and relieving pain and stress in animals are vital for promoting better care, ethical treatment, and productivity.

Drawing from extensive research and clinical experience, Prof. Ajadi noted that animals experience pain as acutely as humans, even though they cannot verbally express it. He explained that physiological and behavioural indicators such as altered posture, abnormal vocalisation, and increased heart rates are reliable signs of distress that demand urgent attention from veterinarians and handlers.

He explored pharmacological interventions for managing pain in animals, including ketamine, tramadol, midazolam, and gabapentin. While acknowledging tramadol’s widespread use, he noted that its effectiveness varies across different species. He, however, identified gabapentin as a promising non-opioid analgesic, particularly valuable in pre-surgical pain management where opioid use is restricted.

Addressing chronic pain conditions, Prof. Ajadi highlighted osteoarthritis as a major concern in both human and animal health. His studies revealed that erythrocyte sedimentation rate and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio are affordable and effective biomarkers for monitoring disease progression in dogs. He also shared preliminary findings that snail mucin may possess disease-modifying properties, pending further clinical validation.

Prof. Ajadi also discussed the correlation between pain and stress, noting that both are closely linked and can exacerbate one another. He advised that administering gabapentin before veterinary visits can significantly reduce anxiety in cats, while his research on cattle showed that rough handling during transportation elevates stress hormones and weakens immunity.

Earlier in his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, commended Prof. Ajadi for his academic excellence, impactful research, and commitment to advancing veterinary medicine. He described the lecturer as a complete academic and a foremost authority in Veterinary Medicine whose work continues to add value to scholarship and animal welfare globally.