Ajogbe Foods, FUNAAB, and UWS Collaborate on Livestock Feed Innovation
The Executive Chairman of Ajogbe Agro Allied Industry, Mr. Bosoye Olalere, has hailed the African AgriFood Knowledge Transfer Partnership (AAKTP) research initiative as a transformative development for Nigeria's agricultural sector. This collaborative effort between the University of the West of Scotland (UWS), the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), and Ajogbe Agro-Allied Industries Limited (Ajogbe Foods) has significantly boosted the company's technical capacity to produce high-quality ruminant feed from locally available agricultural by-products.
Game-Changing Research for Livestock Nutrition
Olalere made these remarks during the public presentation of the research partnership titled "Developing Cost-Effective Feeds from Locally Available Crop Residues and Agro-industrial By-products (AIBs) for Livestock in South West Nigeria," held at FUNAAB. He emphasized that through this collaboration, Ajogbe Agro Allied Industry has acquired commercial-level expertise in feed production, reinforcing its mission to establish a robust beef ecosystem in the Southwest region.
The tripartite business and research collaboration, funded by UKRI through Innovate UK, was established to support the Ajogbe Beef Value Chain with research-driven innovations in livestock feeds. The project commenced in November 2023 and concluded in October 2025, with the primary objective of maximizing the potential of crop residues and AIBs to develop nutritious, cost-effective feeds for livestock in Nigeria.
Operational Framework and Impact
Olalere detailed that Ajogbe's operational framework encompasses five interlinked components:
- Cattle breeding
- Feed production
- Crop cultivation
- Processing
- Logistics
This integrated approach is designed to create a self-sustaining livestock value chain. He further noted that the collaboration has introduced the company to innovative breeding and feeding techniques that enhance cattle weight and feed conversion efficiency, marking a significant advancement in livestock management.
Academic and Government Endorsements
FUNAAB's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, praised the Project Team for translating research into tangible solutions. Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Olawale Dairo, the VC highlighted that this tripartite collaboration, linking Africa and Europe with active private sector involvement, reflects FUNAAB's growing reputation for applied research and problem-solving innovation. "This partnership goes beyond theory; it is practical, impactful, and results-oriented. It exemplifies the synergy between academia, industry, and government, the true catalyst for meaningful change," he stated.
In his welcome address, the Project Team Lead for AAKTP, Prof. Adebayo Shittu of FUNAAB, described the collaboration as a landmark initiative that effectively bridges the gap between research and industrial application. He emphasized that by connecting institutions across the United Kingdom and Nigeria, the project has created sustainable pathways for livestock feed development while addressing broader issues such as farmer-herder conflicts and feed scarcity.
International and Local Support
Prof. Christian Harrison of the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) underscored the importance of academia-industry collaboration in shaping 21st-century leadership and driving economic growth through innovation. Similarly, the Programme Manager of the Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme (OGADEP), Alhaji Akinlawon Olalekan, representing the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, commended the initiative as "a refreshing shift from traditional research practices."
He lauded the partnership for effectively linking research outcomes with real-world applications, thereby reducing the burden on government in translating research into practice. "This project has created a seamless connection between researchers and end users. It is a model worth replicating across Nigeria," he affirmed, assuring the state's readiness to collaborate on similar initiatives.
The wrap-up meeting, marking the completion of the project, served as a platform to share research outcomes and innovation commercialization plans with stakeholders, while also charting a course for continuous partnership collaborations on livestock feed innovation through research and training.
