Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has defended its admission policy amid allegations of ethnic discrimination in the 2025/2026 academic session, urging aggrieved candidates to seek a review through official channels.
The university said its admission decisions were guided by academic performance, available spaces, programme requirements and Federal Government policies, including provisions for geographical representation and access to education.
Its Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, stated this in a statement responding to a 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.
Rejecting the allegations, OAU said its admission process was not driven by ethnic hostility or an agenda against Yoruba students.
The university explained that, as a federal institution, it was required to comply with national admission guidelines and directives issued by relevant regulatory authorities.
It said the framework incorporated merit, catchment areas, national integration and provisions for educationally disadvantaged states, adding that differences in admission thresholds did not automatically establish discrimination.
On complaints concerning admission into Law and Accounting programmes, the university said individual decisions could not be properly assessed using selected examination scores without examining the complete admission records and applicable regulations.
It urged candidates and parents who suspected irregularities to submit formal complaints specifying the programme, admission session, candidates’ qualifications, admission category and grounds for challenging the decisions.
The institution said such complaints would be examined under established procedures.
OAU also advised anyone seeking a review or amendment of Federal Government admission policies to approach the appropriate authorities, including the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.
Acknowledging that competition for admission could leave some candidates disappointed, the university urged stakeholders to base public debate on verified information and evidence.
It reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, academic excellence and accountability, saying it remained open to engagement with students, parents and other education stakeholders.
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