OAU denies ethnic bias in admission process

Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife has dismissed a petition that alleged its admission process is driven by ethnic hostility and a secret agenda against Yoruba students.

The petition, signed by Akin Okunowo and circulated on social media, claimed the university was marginalising Yoruba applicants and compromising academic standards for the 2025/2026 session.

University spokesman Abiodun Olarewaju responded on Monday, stating that OAU operates within the framework of federal admission guidelines and the Federal Character principle.

He said the institution 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, and added that OAU has no interest in denying qualified candidates admission arbitrarily.

Olarewaju explained that admission decisions consider candidates' performance, available spaces, programme-specific requirements and the applicable criteria.

He warned that comparing individual outcomes without full data may lead to inaccurate conclusions.

The spokesman advised any candidate or parent who believes an admission decision is inconsistent with guidelines to lodge a formal complaint through the university's established channels, providing details of the programme, session, credentials and grounds for challenge.

The university pledged to review properly submitted complaints in line with its procedures and regulations.