{"id":18639,"date":"2026-06-20T13:07:36","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T13:07:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.iita.org\/news-item\/iita-awards-eu-funded-soil-science-fellowships-to-liberian-scholars\/"},"modified":"2026-06-29T16:43:12","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T16:43:12","slug":"iita-awards-eu-funded-soil-science-fellowships-to-liberian-scholars","status":"publish","type":"news-item","link":"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/news-item\/iita-awards-eu-funded-soil-science-fellowships-to-liberian-scholars\/","title":{"rendered":"IITA awards EU-funded soil science fellowships to Liberian scholars"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"The<\/a>
The students with the Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IITA<\/span><\/a>\u2013<\/span>CGIAR<\/span><\/a>\u00a0led\u00a0EU-funded Soils4Liberia project, has\u00a0facilitated\u00a0the placement of three Liberian scholars at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) in Nigeria, as part of the project\u2019s human capacity building in soil science for the advancement of sustainable agricultural development in Liberia.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The partnership initiative involves IITA-CGIAR, the Government of Liberia institutions \u2013 the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), the University of Liberia (UL), and FUNAAB. It is designed to develop a new generation of highly skilled soil scientists equipped to transform agricultural productivity and promote sustainable land and soil management practices in Liberia.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The three Liberian scholars, Dennis Daniel Goteh from the MOA, Rena\u00a0Yeawon\u00a0Kokeh\u00a0Nuah\u00a0from the UL, and Victoria Mawee Kafi from CARI,\u00a0departed\u00a0from Liberia on 20 May 2026 to\u00a0commence\u00a0their postgraduate studies at the University through the Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment (CEADESE). At CEADESE, they will undertake advanced studies in Crop\/Pasture Production and Sustainable Environment, with a specialized focus on\u00a0soil\u00a0science.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The successful placement of these scholars at FUNAAB preceded months of strategic planning and coordination led by Dr Samuel Mesele,\u00a0IITA\u00a0Soil Scientist for the Soils4Liberia project. His facilitation was instrumental in fostering collaboration between the institutions and ensuring the successful realization of the academic partnership. These Liberian scholars will also receive mentorship from IITA scientists through their enrolment in the\u00a0Graduate Research Fellowship Program, which enables young professionals to develop the research skills, attitude, and confidence needed for a successful career in agriculture.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"IITA<\/a>
IITA soil scientist, Dr Samuel Mesele who coordinated the fellowship program.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n\n\n\n

During a formal reception held at the Vice Chancellor\u2019s Office, the Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, urged the Liberian scholars to remain focused and fully utilize the academic opportunities provided, emphasizing the program\u2019s role in contributing to Liberia’s efforts to build technical capacity to sustain its soil resources for improved agricultural production and productivity.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further noted that the study was deliberately structured to equip scholars with relevant technical\u00a0expertise\u00a0and practical\u00a0skills and\u00a0assured them that the University\u00a0remains\u00a0committed to providing a conducive and supportive academic environment throughout their stay.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, the Director of CEADESE, Prof. Adeboye Fafiolu, highlighted the availability of excellent facilities, experienced faculty, and a research-driven environment designed to enhance academic excellence and practical impact.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In separate remarks, the Liberian scholars expressed gratitude to IITA, FUNAAB, the Government of Liberia, and the European Union Delegation to Liberia for the opportunity, pledging to remain committed, disciplined, and diligent in their academic pursuits.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This collaboration and partnership are expected to further deepen institutional ties between Nigeria and Liberia, while contributing meaningfully to regional agricultural research and development, particularly by addressing the critical shortage of soil management experts in Liberia.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contributed by Daniel Momo Sirleaf<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

IITA-CGIAR led EU-funded Soils4Liberia project, has facilitated the placement of three Liberian scholars at the Federal University of Agriculture<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":18640,"template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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