The Vice-Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, has disclosed that no fewer than 5,000 candidates have applied to study Nursing Science at the university for the 2026/2027 academic session, despite the institution having only 50 admission slots for the programme.

Agboola also revealed that about 4,000 candidates applied for Mass Communication, although the university can admit only 120 students to the programme.

He attributed the overwhelming demand to increased public confidence in the university following far-reaching reforms and strategic policy initiatives implemented over the past four years.

The VC said the growing demand informed the university’s decision to introduce Nursing Science, Mass Communication, Computer Science and Business Administration into its Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programme beginning with the 2026/2027 academic session.

According to him, the reforms have significantly improved the institution’s profile, leading to an increase in student enrolment from 27,785 in 2022 to 34,657 in 2026.

Agboola added that the university’s global ranking has also improved considerably. He said OOU’s Webometrics ranking rose from about 4,000 globally in 2022 to about 2,700 in 2026, while it is currently ranked 15th among more than 300 universities in Nigeria and 51st in Africa.

The VC made the disclosures on Wednesday during a presentation on the university’s growth between 2022 and 2026 at the opening ceremony of a retreat organised for the outgoing members of the university’s Governing Council.

Those in attendance included the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Toyin Ashiru; Chief Adepegba Otemolu; Chief Joju Fadairo; Chief Iyabode Apampa; other members of the council; and the Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu.

Agboola explained that the university had graduated the first set of students from its Open and Distance Learning programme, thereby fulfilling the minimum requirement set by the National Universities Commission to expand the programme.

He said, “For our Open and Distance Learning programme, we had 100 students in the 2022/2023 academic session. By 2025/2026, the figure had increased to 307 students. We have now graduated the first set, which Is the minimum requirement stipulated by the NUC.

“So, from the 2026/2027 academic session, we are introducing four new programmes that are highly sought after — Nursing, Mass Communication, Computer Science and Business Administration. We selected these programmes based on the huge demand from admission seekers.

“In fact, as of yesterday, about 4,000 candidates had applied for Mass Communication, yet we have capacity for only 120 students. For Nursing Science, we have over 5,000 applicants competing for just 50 slots. Medicine is even more competitive.

“Through the ODL programme, we believe we can expand access to quality education. The degrees awarded are the same, but this gives more candidates the opportunity to pursue their desired courses.”

Agboola further disclosed that the university recorded significant infrastructural development over the last four years, cleared pension and gratuity arrears amounting to about ₦2.1 billion and increased its annual revenue from ₦7 billion to over ₦11 billion.

He added that the institution’s ICT-driven reforms have substantially reduced the cost of administration, noting that the university now operates a largely paperless system.

The VC commended the outgoing Governing Council, led by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Prof. Toyin Ashiru, describing its members as dedicated and committed individuals whose contributions had further strengthened academic excellence and institutional development.

Earlier, Ashiru said the council prioritised integrity, innovation, accountability and transformational policies aimed at repositioning the university. He thanked fellow council members for their commitment and urged them to continue contributing to the development of both the university and Ogun State.

Also speaking, Arigbabu praised the outgoing Governing Council for providing strategic leadership, promoting sound governance and maintaining a cordial working relationship with the university management despite prevailing economic challenges.

He said the achievements highlighted during the retreat represented only a fraction of what the council accomplished over the past four years, expressing confidence that its legacy of stability, collaboration and institutional excellence would continue to shape the future of the state-owned university.

The commissioner reiterated the Ogun State Government’s commitment to maintaining academic standards, stressing that due process continues to guide decisions on admissions, appointments and institutional administration, a policy he said has further strengthened public confidence in the state’s tertiary education system. (The PUNCH)

•The Vice Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Prof Ayodeji Agboola, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Abayomi Arigbabu, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the university, Prof Toyin Ashiru and others at the valedictory retreat for the outgoing Governing Council members. Photo by Bankole Taiwo.

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