By CHARLES CHIJIOKE
Authorities of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, have declined the use of Oduduwa Hall for a proposed lecture by former presidential candidate Peter Obi, citing inadequate notice and security concerns.
In a press statement issued by the university, management clarified that the invitation to Obi was initiated by a group within the students’ body without proper prior notification to the institution.
According to the statement, the university only became aware of “the status and calibre of the invited guest until Friday, just a day before the scheduled programme.”
“It is important to note that events involving high-profile personalities of such standing require adequate prior notification to the University authorities because it will enable the institution to make necessary logistical and security arrangements, including proper liaison with relevant security agencies such as the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS), in order to ensure the safety of the guest, members of the University community and the general public,” the statement read.
The institution said that given the short notice, it was unable to complete the required arrangements and therefore “could not approve the use of Oduduwa Hall for the event as requested by the organisers.”
OAU stressed that the decision “was taken purely in the interest of safety, orderliness and adherence to established protocols governing the use of University facilities,” adding that it “is not, in any way, a reflection of disregard for the person or status of His Excellency, Peter Obi, whom the University holds in high esteem.”
The Vice-Chancellor, Adebayo Simeon Bamire, was quoted as reaffirming the institution’s commitment to intellectual discourse, noting that the university remains open to hosting distinguished personalities “provided that due process is followed and adequate notice is given.”
The development has stirred conversations within academic and political circles, particularly among students and supporters of Obi, many of whom had anticipated the lecture as part of ongoing civic and political engagements across Nigerian campuses. While the university’s position underscores longstanding administrative and security protocols, critics may view the decision as a missed opportunity for engagement, especially given Obi’s popularity among young Nigerians.
There are also concerns that the incident could heighten tensions between student groups and university authorities over autonomy in organising events, as well as raise broader questions about access to public institutions for political discourse ahead of future electoral cycles.
