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 in step with relevant federal authorities insurance policies and regulatory pointers.
The college’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, said 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 in opposition to 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 liable for college training in Nigeria.
He mentioned the admission framework thought of a number of elements, together with candidates’ educational efficiency, accessible areas, programme-specific necessities and authorized 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 included issues 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, “variations in admission thresholds below an authorised framework mustn’t mechanically be interpreted as proof 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 regarding admission into Law and Accounting programmes, OAU mentioned it was inappropriate to find out whether or not particular person admission choices have been honest primarily based solely on chosen scores with out analyzing the whole official admission information and related regulatory provisions.
The college suggested candidates and fogeys who believed that admission choices have been inconsistent with authorized pointers to submit formal complaints by means of its established channels for verification and evaluation.
Such complaints, it defined, ought to specify the programme, admission session, candidate’s credentials, relevant admission class and grounds for difficult the choice.
The establishment added that correctly submitted complaints could be thought of in accordance with established procedures and relevant rules.
“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.
The institution also advised the petition’s author to direct grievances concerning the Federal Government’s admission policy to the appropriate authorities, including the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, where a review or amendment of the policy was being sought.
OAU acknowledged that admission into competitive programmes could lead to disappointment among candidates and their parents but urged stakeholders to ensure that public discussions about admission policies were based on verified information, applicable regulations and compelling evidence.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency, academic excellence and institutional accountability, the university said it remained open to constructive engagement with students, parents, education stakeholders and members of the public.
“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 assertion concluded.
