The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development) of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof. Mufutau Olaoye Atayese, has been appointed the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the newly established Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies, Iragbiji (FUADSI), Osun State.
Prof. Atayese, a respected academic with over three decades of experience in university administration, teaching, and research, is expected to serve a single term of five years.
A renowned expert in Plant Nutrition, Prof. Atayese holds a B.Sc. in Botany from the University of Lagos (1985) and both M.Sc. (1990) and Ph.D. (1995) in Plant Physiology from the University of Ibadan.
Atayese has held several key positions at FUNAAB, including Dean of the College of Plant Science and Crop Production (COLPLANT), Chairman of the Committee of Deans (CODAD), and Member of the Governing Council. He also served as Deputy Dean of Students’ Affairs and contributed to various university committees, including the Appointments and Promotions Committee for Academics and the Academic Planning and Curriculum Committee.
In 2025, he played a significant role in reviewing the university’s Postgraduate Rules and Regulations. His leadership and academic contributions have earned him recognition as a Fellow of the Agricultural Society of Nigeria (FASN) and a Visiting Research Fellowship with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan.
Reacting to the appointment, FUNAAB Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, congratulated Prof. Atayese, describing the appointment as “a testament to FUNAAB’s legacy of producing visionary leaders.”
He expressed confidence in Atayese’s capacity to steer FUADSI toward agricultural innovation, academic excellence, and national development.
