The Federal High Court in Enugu has issued a significant ruling that has thrown the 2025/2026 admission process of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, into uncertainty. In a decision delivered by Justice A.T. Segun-Bello, the court ordered the suspension of admission activities in both institutions following an ex-parte motion filed by a group of aggrieved candidates.
This ruling, which also affects the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has raised tension and uncertainty among thousands of admission seekers who have been anxiously waiting for admission lists to be released.
Why the Court Suspended the Admission Process
The case was brought before the court by five candidates — Chibuzor Success, Oyeleye Zainab Ayomide, Adedeji John Samuel, Monsura Aliat Aduragbem, and Bassey Daniel Nsikak — who filed the suit on behalf of other students who sat for the 2025 Post-UTME at both UNILAG and OAU.
These students sought an interim injunction to restrain the universities and JAMB from releasing, approving, uploading, or finalizing any admission list for the 2025/2026 academic session. According to the plaintiffs, the admission process was allegedly flawed and needed judicial scrutiny before being allowed to proceed.
Justice Segun-Bello, after listening to the application, ruled that there are “veritable and triable issues” that must be addressed before the process could continue. As a result, the court directed all parties to maintain the status quo until the substantive suit is heard.
Key Points of the Court’s Decision
- The order temporarily halts all admission processes for the 2025/2026 session in UNILAG and OAU.
- JAMB, as the central coordinating body for admissions, was also directed not to finalize or upload any lists for the affected institutions.
- The universities have been restrained from releasing any admission list pending the outcome of the substantive case.
- The court scheduled October 28, 2025 as the date for hearing the substantive motion.
This order means that until the court resumes hearing later in the month, admission processes remain frozen, leaving thousands of applicants in suspense.
What This Means for Admission Seekers
The suspension of admission in two of Nigeria’s most prestigious universities is a major development with far-reaching consequences:
- Uncertainty for Students: Many admission hopefuls who had expected their names to appear on the first batch of admission lists now face indefinite waiting.
- Pressure on JAMB: The court’s involvement prevents JAMB from uploading admission lists for UNILAG and OAU, creating a temporary standstill in the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS).
- Extended Admission Calendar: If the legal battle lingers, the universities may face serious disruptions in their academic calendars, which could delay resumption for fresh students.
- Legal Precedent: This case may set a precedent for other aggrieved candidates who feel unfairly treated during admission exercises to challenge universities in court.
Reaction from Stakeholders
While the universities and JAMB are yet to officially respond to the court ruling, the development has sparked wide discussions among students, parents, and education stakeholders. Many fear that the case, if prolonged, could affect the overall schedule for the 2025/2026 academic session.
Some legal analysts have noted that the court acted within its powers to preserve the rights of the applicants until the substantive issues are fully determined. However, others warn that frequent litigation in the admission process could further destabilize Nigeria’s higher education system.
The Road Ahead
The substantive case is scheduled for hearing on October 28, 2025, when the court will deliberate on whether the injunction should be upheld or lifted. Until then, the fate of thousands of prospective students at UNILAG and OAU remains uncertain.
Education analysts suggest that both the universities and JAMB may need to review their admission processes to ensure transparency and fairness, especially given the increasing number of disputes arising from admission exercises in recent years.
Conclusion
The suspension of the 2025/2026 admission process in UNILAG and OAU is a major turning point in Nigeria’s education sector. It highlights the growing trend of students seeking legal redress over university admission processes and raises serious questions about the integrity and fairness of the system.
For now, prospective students must remain patient as the legal process unfolds. The outcome of the October 28 court hearing will determine whether admissions will resume or remain suspended indefinitely.
As the situation develops, all eyes will be on the Federal High Court in Enugu, JAMB, and the management of both UNILAG and OAU for further clarification on the next steps.
