Claiming to adhere to all relevant federal government laws and regulatory requirements, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, has denied claims of ethnic discrimination in its admissions procedure for the 2025/2026 academic session.
In a press statement replying to an open petition filed by Akin Okunowo, who identified himself as a national leader of anti-cult operations in Nigeria, this was said by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju.
The petition claimed that the school engaged in ethnic marginalisation, disregarded merit, and knowingly discriminated against applicants.
But the school insisted the claims were inaccurate and did not represent its admissions policy.
“OAU categorically denies any allegation that its admissions process is motivated by animosity toward Yoruba students, a hidden plot to undermine academic integrity, or any attempt to lower academic standards,” the statement read.
The federal government and the appropriate statutory bodies in charge of higher education in Nigeria determine national admission standards and regulatory regulations, which the university, as a federal institution, adheres to, according to Olarewaju.
Several aspects were taken into account by the admissions framework, he said, including policies that promote educational access and regional representation, available spaces, program-specific requirements, and approved admission criteria. Candidates’ academic achievement was also a factor.
The goal, according to the statement, is not to discriminate against any Nigerian based on their country of origin or to lower academic standards at our esteemed university; rather, it is to promote equity and inclusion in our varied nation.
The school made note of the fact that government admissions standards took into account factors like access to education, national integration, regional representation, and merit.
It stated that relevant standards, such as those pertaining to catchment areas and states with low educational attainment, mirrored these concepts.
Differences in admission thresholds under an allowed framework should not immediately be regarded as proof of racial prejudice or institutional antagonism, according to the statement.
When it comes to federal university policy and law, the University does not exist apart from those documents. The University, as a federally-funded institution, must follow all policies and procedures set out by the appropriate regulatory bodies, including any national admissions requirements.
Regarding the claims made about the admissions process for the Accounting and Law programs, OAU stated that it was improper to assess the fairness of individual admission decisions using only selected test scores without also looking at the full official records of admission and any applicable regulations.
In order to ensure that admissions decisions were in line with approved norms, the university encouraged candidates and parents to use its established procedures to formally complain and have their concerns reviewed.
It was clarified that in order to file a formal complaint, one must include the following details: the program, admission session, credentials of the candidate, relevant admission category, and reasons for contesting the decision.
The institution further stated that all complaints, when reported correctly, will be reviewed in line with current policies and any relevant laws.
There is no institutional motivation in discriminating against Nigerians based on ethnicity, and the OAU has no benefit from arbitrarily rejecting admission to competent applicants. “The responsibility for the fair implementation of admission policies while maintaining academic standards remains with the university,” it noted.
Furthermore, the school suggested that the petitioner take their concerns about the federal government’s admissions policy to the right places: the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, the National Universities Commission, and the Federal Ministry of Education. From there, they could request a review or revision of the applicable policies.
The Office of the Admissions Officer (OAU) understood that competitive program acceptance can be disheartening for applicants and their families, but it advised all parties involved to make sure that any public debates on admissions policies were grounded in factual data, relevant laws, and strong arguments.
The institution made it clear that it was still willing to have productive conversations with people from all walks of life, including students, parents, and education stakeholders, while also restating its dedication to academic honesty, openness, and accountability.
The statement continued by saying that Great Ife is still great, not because it can’t be criticised, but because its dedication to education, quality, and national development is timeless and will outlast any controversy that may arise.