Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has rejected allegations of ethnic discrimination in its admission course of for the 2025/2026 educational session, insisting that admissions are carried out according to relevant federal authorities insurance policies and regulatory pointers.
The college’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, acknowledged this in a press assertion responding to an open petition authored by Akin Okunowo, who described himself as a nationwide chief of anti-cult actions in Nigeria.
The petition allegedly accused the establishment of ethnic marginalisation, abandoning advantage and intentionally discriminating towards candidates in its admission course of.
However, the college maintained that such allegations didn’t precisely replicate its admission framework.
“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 assertion mentioned.
Olarewaju defined that the college, as a federal establishment, operates inside nationwide admission insurance policies and regulatory necessities established by the Federal Government and related statutory authorities accountable for college training in Nigeria.
He mentioned the admission framework thought of a number of elements, together with candidates’ educational efficiency, obtainable areas, programme-specific necessities and accredited admission standards, alongside insurance policies selling geographical illustration and academic entry.
“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 assertion added.
The college famous that federal admission insurance policies integrated concerns of advantage, geographical illustration, nationwide integration and entry to training.
It mentioned these rules have been mirrored in relevant pointers, together with provisions referring to catchment areas and educationally deprived states.
According to the assertion, “differences in admission thresholds under an authorised framework 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.”
Addressing allegations concerning admission into Law and Accounting programmes, OAU said it was inappropriate to determine whether individual admission decisions were fair based solely on selected scores without examining the complete official admission records and relevant regulatory provisions.
The university advised candidates and parents who believed that admission decisions were inconsistent with approved guidelines to submit formal complaints through its established channels for verification and review.
Such complaints, it explained, should specify the programme, admission session, candidate’s credentials, applicable admission category and grounds for challenging the decision.
The institution added that properly submitted complaints would be considered in accordance with established procedures and applicable regulations.
“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 acknowledged.
The establishment additionally suggested the petition’s creator to direct grievances in regards to the Federal Government’s admission policy to the suitable authorities, together with the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, the place a assessment or modification of the policy was being sought.
OAU acknowledged that admission into aggressive programmes might result in disappointment amongst candidates and their mother and father however urged stakeholders to make sure that public discussions about admission insurance policies have been based mostly on verified info, relevant laws and compelling proof.
Reaffirming its dedication to transparency, educational excellence and institutional accountability, the college mentioned it remained open to constructive engagement with college students, mother and father, training stakeholders and members of the general public.
“Great Ife stays Great—not as a result of it’s past criticism, however as a result of its enduring dedication to studying, excellence and nationwide growth transcends the controversies of the second,” the assertion concluded.
