Court Halts UNILAG, OAU Admissions Amid Post-UTME Controversy

By Deborah Oladapo 

A Federal High Court sitting in Enugu has ordered the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, to suspend their admission processes following disputes over alleged irregularities in their recently concluded Post-UTME screenings.

Justice Mabel Segun-Bello, ruling on a motion ex parte brought by five candidates, directed the universities and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to maintain the status quo pending the hearing of a substantive suit. The candidates, who claim they were unfairly flagged for malpractice, are seeking to stop the release of any admission list until the matter is determined.

At UNILAG, the Post-UTME exercise has faced criticism from several candidates who insist they did not cheat but were wrongfully accused. Students allege that glitches in the online testing system and hasty assessments led to disqualifications. Some also complained of results withheld without clear explanations.

The university, however, maintains that those flagged were involved in “clear violations of examination guidelines,” citing video surveillance and monitoring mechanisms as evidence. UNILAG’s Registrar, Abosede Wickliffe, said results were released to all qualified candidates and only those found guilty of malpractice were disqualified after due process.

Education rights advocates warn that the controversy could delay the 2025/2026 admission cycle and disrupt academic calendars. Meanwhile, affected candidates continue to press their case, insisting on transparency and access to their scripts.

The case resumes in the coming weeks, with both UNILAG and OAU expected to file formal responses.