Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, has disclosed that demand for admission into some of its programmes has reached unprecedented levels, with thousands of applicants competing for only a handful of available spaces in the 2026 and 2027 academic session.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, revealed that more than 5,000 candidates applied to study Nursing Science, despite the university having only 50 admission slots for the programme. He also stated that about 4,000 applicants sought admission into Mass Communication, where only 120 places are available.
According to Agboola, the growing competition reflects increasing public confidence in the university, driven by the reforms and policy initiatives introduced over the past four years. He said the institution’s improved reputation has attracted a significantly higher number of prospective students.
To address the rising demand, the university has expanded its Open and Distance Learning programme by introducing Nursing Science, Mass Communication, Computer Science and Business Administration from the 2026 and 2027 academic session. He explained that the move is intended to create more opportunities for qualified candidates to study their preferred courses without compromising academic standards.
The Vice Chancellor made the disclosure on Wednesday while presenting a report on the university’s achievements between 2022 and 2026 during a retreat organised for outgoing members of the Governing Council.
He noted that student enrolment has increased from 27,785 in 2022 to 34,657 in 2026, while the institution has also recorded significant progress in global rankings. According to him, the university’s Webometrics ranking improved from about 4,000 worldwide in 2022 to approximately 2,700 in 2026. Within Nigeria, it now ranks 15th among more than 300 universities and occupies the 51st position across Africa.
Agboola further explained that the university successfully graduated its first set of Open and Distance Learning students, satisfying the National Universities Commission’s requirement for expanding the programme. He added that enrolment in the initiative grew from 100 students in the 2022 and 2023 session to 307 by the 2025 and 2026 academic session.
He said the decision to introduce additional programmes through the Open and Distance Learning platform was informed by the overwhelming demand for courses such as Nursing Science, Mass Communication, Computer Science and Business Administration. While Nursing attracted over 5,000 applicants for just 50 available places, Mass Communication received about 4,000 applications for only 120 admission slots. He also noted that Medicine remains one of the university’s most competitive programmes.
Expressing confidence in the initiative, Agboola said the Open and Distance Learning system would expand access to quality higher education, as students earn the same degree qualifications while enjoying greater flexibility.
The Vice Chancellor also highlighted the institution’s achievements in infrastructure development and financial management over the past four years. He revealed that the university cleared about ₦2.1 billion in outstanding pension and gratuity obligations, while internally generated revenue increased from ₦7 billion to more than ₦11 billion.
He added that the introduction of digital administrative processes has significantly reduced operating costs, with the university now functioning on an almost entirely paperless system.
Agboola praised the outgoing Governing Council, led by Prof. Toyin Ashiru, for its commitment to strengthening the institution through sound leadership and strategic decision making. He said the council’s dedication has contributed immensely to the university’s academic growth and institutional development.
In his remarks, Ashiru said the council focused on integrity, accountability, innovation and policies aimed at transforming the university throughout its tenure. He thanked fellow council members for their unwavering support and encouraged them to remain committed to the continued progress of the institution and Ogun State.
Also speaking at the event, the Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, commended the outgoing council for its effective leadership and strong partnership with the university’s management despite prevailing economic challenges.
He said the achievements presented during the retreat reflected only part of the council’s contributions, expressing confidence that its legacy of stability, cooperation and academic excellence would continue to benefit the university for years to come.
Arigbabu reaffirmed the Ogun State Government’s commitment to maintaining high academic standards, stressing that transparency and due process remain central to decisions involving admissions, appointments and the administration of state owned tertiary institutions.
