OAU rejects ethnic discrimination allegations, defends admission policy

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 admissions are conducted in line with applicable federal government policies and regulatory guidelines.

The university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, stated this in a press statement responding to an open petition authored by Akin Okunowo, who described himself as a national leader of anti-cult activities in Nigeria.

The petition allegedly accused the institution of ethnic marginalisation, abandoning merit and deliberately discriminating against candidates in its admission process.

However, the university maintained that such allegations did not accurately reflect 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 statement said.

Olarewaju explained that the university, as a federal institution, operates within national admission policies and regulatory requirements established by the Federal Government and relevant statutory authorities responsible for university education in Nigeria.

He said the admission framework considered several factors, including candidates’ academic performance, available spaces, programme-specific requirements and approved admission criteria, alongside policies promoting geographical representation 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 university noted that federal admission policies incorporated considerations of merit, geographical representation, national integration and access to education.

It said these principles were reflected in applicable guidelines, including provisions relating to catchment areas and educationally disadvantaged states.

According to the statement, “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 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 statement concluded.