The Federal High Court in Enugu has ordered the suspension of the 2025/2026 admission processes at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and the University of Lagos (UNILAG), following a suit filed by aggrieved Post-UTME candidates.
The order, delivered on September 30 by Justice A.T. Segun-Bello, restrains the two institutions and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) from releasing or approving admission lists until the matter has been determined. The matter has been adjourned to October 28, 2025, for hearing.
Five applicants—Chibuzor Success, Oyeleye Zainab Ayomide, Adedeji John Samuel, Monsura Aliat Aduragbemi, and Bassey Daniel Nsikak—filed the lawsuit on behalf of themselves and other affected candidates, citing irregularities in the Post-UTME exercise.
With regard to the case, ACJOAU reached out to the Public Relations Officer of the University, Mr Abiodun Olanrewaju. He stated, ‘In any case, and quite frankly, our university does not react to trends on social media regarding court rulings or judgments, but if and when we are properly served by the plaintiff(s), we will react accordingly and appropriately. The general public will know our stance.’ Mr Olanrewaju added that, ‘Officially, as it stands now, the university is not aware of any court case.’
OAU Post-UTME Saga: From Malpractice Allegation to Unsatisfactory Exam Scores
Several aspirants had earlier raised concerns over withheld or unusually low results after the OAU Post-UTME, while the university maintained that some results were affected by examination malpractice.
Ogundimu Marvelous Omotayo, who applied to study law, said his result was withheld despite there being no issues during the exam or any warning received. ‘I was not flagged at all. No warning, no notification. I felt more than bad after all my sleepless nights. I believed I should have scored high because I really studied hard.’ Marvelous added that, in a bid to avoid distraction or suspicions of malpractice, he had paid the cybercafe owner an extra fee to ensure he was the only candidate allowed to use the facility during his session.
Similarly, Talabi Daniel, who initially applied for medicine, expressed shock at receiving a score of 20. ‘It does not reflect my effort because I tried my best,’ he said, adding that he neither engaged in nor witnessed any form of malpractice.
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Oredola Muinat, an aspirant from Osun State who applied to study Medical Rehabilitation, also received a score of 20. ‘I felt sad about it because that cannnot be my real score,’ she said, alleging that candidates with a score of 20 were intentionally marked down because they had scored higher marks.
“The result was not what I expected because the questions were easy. I wasn’t flagged during my exam, nor did the proctor converse with me. Why didn’t they deal with those who actually cheated?”
A candidate who requested anonymity said, ‘My result was withheld, and it really affected me. I almost slipped into depression. The whole process seemed shady and unfair. Why would the school withhold results or mark down students who performed well? It’s not right.’
Another aspirant who wished to remain unnamed stated, ‘I obeyed all the rules, and I wasn’t flagged. Yet my score was reduced, and I immediately felt helpless. My dream was to enrol in the Faculty of Law, but now I’m not even close to the cut-off, let alone merit. It felt like I studied in vain.’
Beyond individual experiences, a recurring concern among many candidates is that the university’s approach appears to punish innocent aspirants alongside those suspected of malpractice. Some expressed fears about the treatment they might receive if they eventually gain admission to the school.
Efforts to reach the university’s ICT Director for clarification on the grading controversy have proven unsuccessful. With the matter now adjourned to October 28 at the Federal High Court in Enugu, the fate of thousands of aspirants remains uncertain, pending the court’s ruling and further action from the University.