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Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has rejected allegations of ethnic discrimination in its admission process for the 2025/2026 academic session, insisting that it operates in line with Federal Government policies and approved regulatory guidelines.
The university said its admission framework was designed to balance academic merit, programme requirements, available spaces and national policies promoting geographical representation and access to education.
OAU’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, stated this in a press release responding to an open petition by Akin Okunowo, who described himself as a national leader of anti-cult activities in Nigeria.
The petition reportedly accused the institution of ethnic marginalisation, abandoning merit and deliberately discriminating against candidates in its admission process.
However, the university dismissed the allegations, maintaining that its admission decisions were guided by established national policies rather than ethnic considerations.
“OAU unequivocally rejects any suggestion that its admission process is driven by ethnic hostility, a secret agenda against Yoruba students or a deliberate attempt to compromise academic standards,” the statement said.
Why OAU defends its admission policy
Olarewaju explained that OAU, as a federal university, was required to comply with national admission policies and regulatory requirements established by the Federal Government and relevant statutory authorities overseeing university education.
He said admission decisions considered several factors, including candidates’ academic performance, available spaces, programme-specific requirements and approved admission criteria.
According to the university, these considerations operate alongside policies intended to promote geographical representation, national integration and educational access.
“The objective is not to undermine academic excellence or punish any Nigerian on account of his or her state of origin, but to pursue fairness and inclusiveness within a diverse federation while preserving the academic standards expected of a reputable institution like ours,” the statement added.
The institution said federal admission guidelines incorporated merit and other considerations intended to ensure that candidates from different parts of the country had access to educational opportunities.
It specifically referred to provisions relating to catchment areas and educationally disadvantaged states, which form part of the broader framework governing admissions into federal institutions.
OAU argued that differences in admission thresholds under an authorised policy should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of ethnic discrimination or institutional hostility.
“The University does not exist outside the laws and policies governing federal universities. As an institution under the supervision of the Federal Government, the University is obligated to operate in accordance with applicable national admission guidelines and the directives of the relevant regulatory authorities,” the statement said.
University addresses concerns over Law, Accounting admissions
The university also addressed allegations relating to admissions into its Law and Accounting programmes, describing it as inappropriate to assess individual admission decisions based solely on selected examination scores.
According to OAU, a proper assessment would require a review of complete official admission records, candidates’ credentials, relevant admission categories and the regulatory provisions applicable to the programmes.
The institution maintained that isolated comparisons of candidates’ scores might not provide sufficient information to determine whether admission decisions complied with the approved framework.
It therefore urged candidates and parents who believed they had been unfairly treated to submit formal complaints through the university’s established channels.
Such complaints, it said, should identify the programme concerned, the admission session, the candidate’s qualifications, the applicable admission category and the specific grounds for challenging the decision.
OAU assured stakeholders that properly submitted complaints would be considered in accordance with established procedures and relevant regulations.
The university also insisted that it had no institutional interest in denying qualified candidates admission arbitrarily or discriminating against applicants on ethnic grounds.
“OAU has nothing to gain from denying admission to qualified candidates arbitrarily, nor does it have any institutional interest in discriminating against Nigerians on ethnic grounds. The university remains responsible for implementing admission policies fairly while maintaining academic standards,” it stated.
OAU directs petition author to federal authorities
The institution advised Okunowo to direct grievances concerning the Federal Government’s admission policy to the appropriate authorities if he sought a review or amendment of the existing framework.
It identified the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) as relevant bodies to approach over concerns about national admission regulations.
According to the university, questions about the overall policy should be distinguished from allegations concerning how an individual institution implements the guidelines.
OAU acknowledged that competition for admission into highly sought-after programmes could lead to disappointment among candidates and their parents.
However, it urged stakeholders to ensure that public discussions about admission decisions were based on verified information, applicable regulations and credible evidence.
The university said it remained open to constructive engagement with students, parents, education stakeholders and members of the public on matters relating to admissions and institutional accountability.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and academic excellence, OAU said its admission process should be assessed against the relevant policies and official records rather than assumptions about the institution’s motives.
“Great Ife remains Great—not because it is beyond criticism, but because its enduring commitment to learning, excellence and national development transcends the controversies of the moment,” the statement concluded.
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