The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved six new undergraduate programmes for the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), in a significant boost to the institution’s academic expansion plans, with the courses set to commence in the 2026/2027 academic session.

The approval followed a successful resource assessment conducted by the commission to determine the university’s preparedness and the availability of the human and material resources required to run the proposed programmes.

The development was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday by FUNAAB’s Acting Head of the Directorate of Public Relations, Olasunkanmi Olajide.

According to the university, the newly approved full-time programmes are Bachelor of Science degrees in Geophysics, Public Health, Biotechnology, Science Laboratory Technology, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, and Clothing and Textile.

In a letter addressed to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Babatunde Kehinde, the NUC Executive Secretary formally communicated the commission’s approval after reviewing the outcome of the resource assessment exercise.

“The Commission’s approval for the establishment of the programmes followed a thorough consideration of the outcome of the resource assessment exercise,” the university said in the statement.

The approval represents a notable step in FUNAAB’s efforts to broaden its academic portfolio and align its training programmes with evolving national and global demands.

The newly introduced disciplines span key sectors including health, environmental sustainability, scientific research and industrial development.

FUNAAB said the decision would strengthen its capacity to contribute to manpower development while equipping students with specialised skills required in emerging and high-demand fields.

“With the addition of the six programmes, the University is further strengthening its reputation as a leading institution dedicated to academic excellence, innovation, and the production of highly skilled graduates capable of contributing meaningfully to national development,” the statement added.

The expansion comes as Nigerian universities increasingly seek to diversify their course offerings in response to changing labour market needs and growing demand for specialised expertise.

In recent years, the NUC has intensified quality assurance measures through resource verification and accreditation processes aimed at ensuring institutions possess adequate facilities and qualified personnel before launching new programmes.

For FUNAAB, which was established in 1988 and is widely recognised for its strengths in agriculture, science and technology education, the approval marks another important milestone in its drive to remain competitive within Nigeria’s higher education sector.

The introduction of programmes such as Public Health, Biotechnology and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene is expected to support national development priorities, particularly in healthcare delivery, environmental management and scientific innovation.

University officials said the approval underscores FUNAAB’s commitment to producing highly skilled graduates capable of making meaningful contributions across critical sectors of the economy.