University News
Published: February 18, 2026
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By Emmanuel Iweh
Legal Tussle Over 2025/2026 Admission Lists: UNILAG and OAU Maintain Status Quo
"Ongoing litigation at the Federal High Court continues to affect admission approvals for the 2025/2026 session at UNILAG and OAU, creating uncertainty for candidates."
The Nigerian higher education sector remains on edge as the Federal High Court continues its deliberations regarding the 2025/2026 admission processes at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). A recent 'status quo' order, which has persisted into February 2026, prevents these institutions and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) from finalizing or uploading further names to the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) for the affected session. The lawsuit, filed by a group of candidates, alleges irregularities in the calculation of aggregate scores during the Post-UTME phase. This legal impasse has profound implications for the 2026/2027 admission cycle, as a delay in the current batch of 'freshers' directly impacts the space available for the incoming 2026 UTME candidates. Investigative findings suggest that both universities are facing a massive backlog, with over 15,000 admission offers currently in a state of suspended animation. For students who participated in the 2025 screening, the lack of a final list on CAPS means they cannot officially proceed with registration or residency. For those currently registering for the 2026 UTME, the impact is even more severe: if the 2025 batch is not matriculated by April 2026, universities may be forced to reduce their 2026 intake quotas to avoid exceeding their NUC-mandated carrying capacity. This could lead to a 'merger' of sessions or drastically higher cut-off marks for the 2026 cycle to trim down the applicant pool. Legal analysts suggest that a resolution may not be reached until late March, leaving candidates in a precarious position. Students are advised to keep a close watch on their JAMB CAPS portal for any 'Marketplace' offers or institutional shifts that might occur if the court orders a complete re-ranking of scores. The situation highlights the increasing trend of legal intervention in Nigerian university admissions, which may fundamentally change how Post-UTME screenings are conducted in the future to ensure greater transparency and minimize litigious risks.
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