OAU explains venue denial for Peter Obi’s lecture, cites late notification, security concerns

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has clarified why it declined to approve a venue request for an event where Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was scheduled to deliver a lecture on campus.

The explanation comes after Obi raised concerns over what he described as a growing trend of cancelled university speaking engagements across Nigeria, warning that such actions could threaten intellectual freedom in higher institutions.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, the institution said the organisers disclosed the identity of the guest speaker very late—just a day before the scheduled event. According to the management, the short notice made it impossible to arrange proper security and logistics required for hosting a high-profile visitor.

“The general public is hereby informed that a particular group within the Students’ body extended an invitation to the former presidential candidate and two-term governor of Anambra State to deliver a lecture within the University premises.

“It is important to note that events involving high-profile personalities of such standing require adequate prior notification to the university authorities because it will enable the institution to make necessary logistical and security arrangements, including proper liaison with relevant security agencies such as the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS), to ensure the safety of the guests, members of the university community and the general public.

“Consequently, given the short notice and the attendant inability to complete these critical arrangements, the university authorities could not approve the use of Oduduwa Hall for the event as requested by the organisers,” the statement read.

The management stressed that the decision was strictly based on safety, order, and compliance with established procedures for the use of university facilities. It added that the refusal was not directed at Obi personally.

“It is not, in any way, a reflection of disregard for the person or status of His Excellency, Peter Obi, whom the university holds in high esteem,” the statement said.

However, Obi had earlier revealed on Saturday via X that he was scheduled to speak at OAU by 9 am before heading to Ibadan for another political engagement at noon, when he was informed that the lecture had been cancelled. He described the incident as part of a recurring pattern, claiming it was not the first time such cancellations had happened.

“While such occurrences may be dismissed in isolation, it is important to state clearly that this has now happened more than 10 times. This is no longer incidental; it points to a troubling pattern that should concern all well-meaning Nigerians,” he said.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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