By Our Reporter
The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has explained why it declined the use of its facility for a proposed lecture by former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the university said the organisers of the event failed to give adequate notice, making it impossible to approve the venue.
The clarification followed concerns raised by Obi, who had described the cancellation of his lecture as part of a growing trend of disrupted engagements at Nigerian universities—an issue he warned could threaten intellectual freedom.
Obi, in a statement shared on X on Saturday, disclosed that he was scheduled to deliver a keynote lecture at 9 a.m. at the university before proceeding to Ibadan for an opposition parties’ summit. However, he said he was later informed that the event had been cancelled.
The former Anambra State governor added that the development was not an isolated case, claiming that similar cancellations had occurred more than ten times.
“This is no longer incidental; it points to a troubling pattern that should concern all well-meaning Nigerians,” he stated.
Responding, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, said the institution only received full details about the event and the invited guest on Friday—just a day before the scheduled programme.
He explained that such short notice made it difficult for the university to complete essential security and logistical arrangements required for hosting a high-profile personality.
According to him, events involving prominent figures require prior notification to enable coordination with relevant security agencies, including the police and the Department of State Services (DSS), to ensure the safety of all participants.
Olarewaju added that due to the time constraint, the university could not approve the use of Oduduwa Hall as requested by the organisers.
He emphasised that the decision was based strictly on safety considerations and institutional procedures, and should not be interpreted as a slight against Obi.