OAU Reveals 2026/2027 Admission Figures, Departmental Quotas and Key Requirements

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has disclosed key details of its 2026/2027 admission exercise, including the number of applicants, departmental admission quotas, allocation criteria and requirements candidates must meet to secure admission.

According to the university's Public Relations Officer (PRO), 60,370 candidates selected OAU as their institution of choice. However, only about 25,000 scored 200 and above in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), while approximately 15,033 met the UTME screening requirements. Some candidates were also absent from the process.

The PRO further disclosed that fewer than 100 candidates reportedly failed the Post-UTME examination.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) allocated the university an admission quota of 13,900 candidates for the 2026/2027 academic session.

On departmental admission quotas, the PRO explained that each department has a specific number of candidates it can admit. English Language has a quota of 291 students, while Nursing Science has a quota of 120.

For Medicine and Surgery, the initial admission quota of 50 students was subsequently increased to 80. Despite the adjustment, competition remains intense, with more than 500 candidates reportedly scoring 80 and above in the Post-UTME examination.

The university also explained that admission allocation follows established guidelines, with 45 per cent of available spaces allocated to merit candidates, 35 per cent to candidates from catchment areas and 20 per cent to candidates from Educationally Less Developed States (ELDS).

Under the ELDS arrangement, candidates from designated states receive consideration in line with applicable guidelines to promote geographical representation. States such as Kebbi and Rivers were cited as examples.

The PRO stressed that meeting or exceeding a departmental cut-off mark does not automatically guarantee admission, as candidates must also satisfy the specific O'Level requirements for their chosen courses.

He cited cases in which candidates who sat for Commerce and presented unsuitable O'Level subject combinations were denied admission despite scoring above the required departmental cut-off marks.

Candidates were therefore advised to confirm that their O'Level subjects meet the requirements for their preferred courses.

Addressing concerns about financial inducements, the PRO clarified that the university does not collect money from candidates in exchange for admission.

He disclosed that some candidates had allegedly paid individuals who promised to facilitate their admission. In some cases, the candidates initially saw a proposed admission status but later found that it had reverted to "Not Admitted".

He advised candidates and their parents to avoid individuals demanding money under the guise of securing admission and to follow only the university's official admission procedures.

Regarding admission into the Faculty of Law, the PRO revealed that the Dean had expressed interest in admitting more students. However, owing to limitations on the number of candidates the faculty could accommodate directly, an arrangement was discussed under which some candidates could initially be admitted into the Faculty of Arts and subsequently apply for a change of course to Law through the appropriate university procedure.

The PRO reiterated that admission into OAU is highly competitive and that the process involves several considerations beyond departmental cut-off marks.

These include departmental admission quotas, O'Level subject requirements, merit allocation, catchment area considerations and the ELDS provision.

He urged candidates to understand that meeting the departmental cut-off mark does not automatically translate into an admission offer.