It has been four months since the 2024 convocation ceremony of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), but graduates of the University are still yet to secure their transcript. This delay has left many feeling uneasy and concerned about their future activities.
The delay in issuing the graduates’ transcripts has raised serious questions about the University’s administrative efficiency. Transcripts are essential for graduates as they are needed for job applications, further academics, and various other opportunities.
Recall that in 2021, graduates took to social media to express their frustration, with one student, among others, sharing a personal experience of missing out on an opportunity to attend the University of Oxford due to the delay.
I lost a chance to attend @BlavatnikSchool @UniofOxford cos my transcript was not delivered to @AI4Governance which was the final stage. This inefficiency has to stop. I am in.
— #AA (@kingadetunji_) May 5, 2021
This ineptitude and lackadaisical attitude in processing OAU transcripts has to stop. I applied for transcripts since early February 2021, hitherto it hasn’t been sent to the appropriate quarters. I’m in.
— Adebayo Damilare (@adebayodharey08) May 5, 2021
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However, the issue was resolved. Unfortunately, the recently graduated students of the University are still waiting for their transcripts to be produced four months after the 2024 convocation ceremony. This delay has also left many graduates frustrated, worried, and uncertain about their plans.
In an interview with a graduate, Mr. Adesina Ayomide, he stated that, ‘A Delayed Transcript is a Delayed Future.’ Mr. Adesina, who graduated from Religious Studies, voiced his concerns about the ongoing delay. In his statement, he noted that the delay in the issuance of the transcript has thrown a wrench in the plans of many of the graduates, especially for those seeking to apply for master’s scholarships overseas.
‘Many of these programs have tight deadlines, and without our transcripts, we cannot finish our applications,’ he added. He further expressed how this situation has affected his outlook. He said, ‘It is incredibly frustrating and nerve-wracking to think we might miss out on life-changing opportunities because of administrative issues that are out of our hands.’
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Speaking about the possible reasons behind the delay, Mr. Adesina Ayomide speculated that it might stem from bureaucratic hurdles, a lack of staff, or technical glitches in the records office. Still, he stressed that the university needs to understand the urgency of the situation and take swift action to expedite the process.
To make the process of issuing transcripts smoother, Mr. Ayomide suggested that the university should think about automating the system, boosting staff levels during busy times, and keeping students regularly informed about the status of their transcripts.
In his statement, Mr. Temiloluwa Adeleye stated that, ‘A Transcript Delay is a Career Delay.’ Mr. Temiloluwa, who is a graduate of the Department of Religious Studies, noted that the university transcript is needed to apply for postgraduate programmes and job opportunities since universities and employers ask for official transcripts as part of their selection process. ‘This delay is putting me at a disadvantage’, he said.
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He also voiced his disappointment with how the university has managed the situation. ‘It is frustrating because previous graduates got their transcripts just days after convocation. This unexpected delay could be due to administrative hiccups, backlogs, or simply a lack of clear communication from the university,’ he added.
To tackle the transcript issuance issues, Mr. Temiloluwa proposed that the university should adopt a more efficient and transparent system. This could involve digitizing records, simplifying internal approvals, and establishing a clear timeline for processing transcripts. He also highlighted the need for regular updates to keep students informed about the status of their requests.
When ACJOAU contacted the University’s Deputy Vice Chancellor(Academic), Professor Babalola, she said that the delay might be due to technicalities issues from the ICT. She further stated that the Director of ICT would be contacted and the transcript would be produced.