IAR&T HOLDS ANNUAL IN-HOUSE RESEARCH REVIEW, CELEBRATES STAFF FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE

The Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan organized the 2026 In-House Review Exercise, with the opening ceremony held today, March 10, 2026 at the Prof. E. A. Adebowale Training Hall, Moor Plantation, Ibadan.

The 2-day event themed _’Cultivating Resilience: Research For Agricultural Development in a Changing World’_ aimed at reviewing the research activities of various Programmes/Units/Centres, with a view to examining research breakthroughs, innovations and achievements recorded in the past year and channeling a path for the year ahead.

The opening ceremony began with the recognition of important Dignitaries, who graced the occasion and followed by the welcome address delivered by the Executive Director, IAR&T, Prof. Gabriel Oluwatosin. He seized the medium to appreciate the Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife; Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) and; Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) for entrusting the Institute with the responsibility of repositioning the agricultural development of South West and Nigeria at large. He further praised the tenacity of the Institute’s Scientists in the face of paucity of fund that plagued the preceeding year, where ZERO capital was released for research. As a result, he assured the readiness and openness of the Institute to partnership with private sectors, NGOs and Governments at all levels, especially in areas of training and empowerment of youth and relevant stakeholders into value chain agriculture.

Following the welcome address, goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of ARCN, OCP Africa, Indorama, FMAFS, CRIN, Pig Farmers Association of Nigeria (PFAN) and the Dean, Faculty of Agric, OAU, Ile-Ife.

In delivering the Chairman’s address, Prof A. S. Bamire (VC, OAU and Chairman, Institute Governing Board) congratulated the Director, Management and all members of Staff of the Institute for the sustenance of the Annual Research Review Exercise, despite the prevailing challenges facing agricultural development in Nigeria. He underscored the fundamental role of funding in research and thus, encouraged constant investment in research infrastructure and human capacity development as the probable means of ensuring sustainable agricultural development. He emphasized the role of collaboration in the advancement of Agriculture research in Nigeria. According to him, “the future of our food system depends largely on the strength of Research Institutions today”. He, therefore, charged researchers of the Institute to look beyond traditional methods of research, especially in the current wave of advanced technology, and be able to proffer digital solutions to research problems. He wished and prayed for the Institute for greater attainment of milestones in research and innovation.

Prior to the Keynote Speaker’s presentation, a brief Citation of the presenter was read by the Head, Crop & Seed Production Unit, IAR&T, Prof. D. J. Ogunniyan.

The Lead Paper Presenter, Prof. S. A. Olakojo (One of the Institute’s Eminent Professors) took the centre stage and made a scintillating presentation. Prof. Olakojo exhaustively discussed on key major concepts of the event’s theme. He espoused the evolving era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in today’s world and its implications for research development in Nigeria and across the World. While delivering his robust presentation, he admonished Scientists and researchers as a whole to embrace the spirit of resilience, especially in the areas of their research activities and continue to evolve with the changing World, in a bid to achieve sustainable agricultural development in the Country.

Subsequently, the Institute Management recognized the outstanding role of some members of Staff, who are due to retire from the service of the Institute/University soon and celebrated their meritorious service and significant contributions to the growth and development of the Institute over the years. The members of Staff were, Mr. Olabode (Station Manager, Ibadan Station) and Mr. Momoh (Confidential Secretary).

In a similar vein, Mr. Abodunrin (Ikenne Station Manager) and Mr. Muhammed (Kishi Station Manager) were equally recognized and celebrated for their respective outstanding and exceptional performance in their Stations and by extension, the Institute.

Also, an Award of Excellence plaque was presented to the Keynote Speaker to honor him.

Additionally, the compiled report of the Annual Research Review, detailing the reports of every Programme/Unit/Centre’s research activities and achievements in the past year, was launched at the occasion.

In giving the vote of thanks, the Secretary to the Institute, Mr. ‘Boye Popoola expressed the Management’s appreciation and gratitude to all invited Guests and important personalities for gracing the opening ceremony, despite their busy schedule and wished them a journey mercy back to their respective locations.

After the group photograph and media rounds with some important Dignitaries, the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, OAU and Rep. of the E.S., ARCN, accompanied by Institute’s Principal Officers and other invited Guests inspected the Exhibitions stand consecutively, where Programmes/Units/Centres and other Institutions and/or Organizations display/showcase their products. The Technical Sessions followed suit, with 5 different Research Programme Teams making presentations to round off the first day of the Review exercise.

The 2026 In-House Review Exercise would be concluded tomorrow, March 11, 2026, with Technical Sessions, featuring presentations from other research Programmes/Units/Centres within the Institute and an interactive session of Staff with the Management of the Institute.

In addition to the names earlier mentioned, also in attendance for the opening ceremony were, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), OAU, Ile-Ife, Prof. G. A. Aderomu; the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, OAU, Prof. Femi Ajayi; the Exe. Secretary, ARCN, Dr. Abubakar Dabban, rep. by Director, Plant Resources Department, ARCN, Dr. Oluwafemi Salako; the Executive Director, CRIN, rep. by Director, Research Outreach, Dr. Samuel Orisajo; the Executive Director, NIHORT, Prof. Lawal Attanda, rep. by Dr. I. B. Adeoye; the Provost, Federal College of Agriculture, Ibadan, Prof. J. J. Atungwu, rep. by the Deputy Provost (Admin), Dr. Adenekan; State Coordinator, FMAFS, Oyo State, Engineer Adetunji Samson Olusegun; the President, PFAN, Prof. A. O. K. Adesehinwa; the President, Sheep & Goat Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (SHEGOFAN), Alh. Salami, rep. by Hon. (Mrs.) Bilikis Akiode, the Head of Department, Soil Resources Management, University of Ibadan, Prof. S. O. Osunsanya; Representative of OCP Africa, Dr. Samson Olanipekun; Representative of Indorama, Dr. Lawal Adebowale; the Managing Director, Choice Agro-chemicals, Ogun State, Mr. Fatokun; the Deputy Director, IAR&T, Prof. J. A. Adetumbi; the Head of Accounts, IAR&T, Mr. Michael Fadipe; All Heads of Programme/Unit/Centre in the Institute; Professors in the Institute; the Immediate Past Director, IAR&T, Prof. V. A. Obatolu; Former Director, IAR&T and Rtd. Professor, Prof. J. A. Adediran; members of Staff of the Institute; representatives of Farmers’ Associations and Input Agencies; press men, among a host of others.