The Management of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) has directed all duly admitted students for the 2025/2026 academic session to return to their respective departments and faculties to present themselves for clearance.
In a statement issued by the University, Management disclosed that it had received reports that some students who were offered provisional admission in the current academic session were experiencing difficulties with the clearance process in certain faculties, particularly the Faculty of Optometry.
The statement noted that Management frowned at the development and consequently instructed all affected students, including those in the Faculty of Optometry, to present themselves for clearance in their respective academic units.
The directive follows rising concerns raised on social media over the admission of students into the Doctor of Optometry programme. A post by a concerned parent, shared on social media by Rufai Oseni, alleged that UNIBEN admitted about 350 students into the programme for the 2025/2026 session, despite having an approved quota of 150 students.
According to the post, the affected students received admission letters from both UNIBEN and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), paid acceptance fees, resumed lectures in November 2025, and have spent about four months in the programme.
But, it was alleged that the university later informed the students that only 150 would be retained in the programme due to quota and accreditation constraints, while the remaining students would be transferred to other courses.
The post further claimed that some of the students were being denied clearance, even as examinations are scheduled to commence in March.
The parent expressed concern over alleged a lack of transparency and clear communication from the university, particularly regarding how the retained students would be selected. The situation, the post noted, has left many 100-level students uncertain about their academic status.
As of the time of filing this report, UNIBEN Management has not provided further details on the alleged quota issues or the criteria for resolving the matter beyond the clearance directive.
