Obafemi Awolowo University turned down a request to host a lecture by Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate, over inadequate planning time and safety worries, the institution's management said on Wednesday.
The university received the request just days before the scheduled event, leaving insufficient time to arrange the logistics and security measures required for such a high-profile gathering, according to OAU officials. The lecture was meant to take place on campus in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
OAU management prioritized the safety of students and staff in its decision. Hosting a prominent political figure demands proper coordination with security agencies, traffic management plans, and crowd control measures. The compressed timeline made it impossible to execute these responsibilities adequately.
The university said it operates strict protocols for hosting events of national importance. These protocols exist to protect the university community and ensure orderly proceedings. Management noted that such events cannot be accommodated without proper advance notice and planning.
Organizsers of the lecture had not disclosed the exact reasons for the tight schedule or whether alternative dates or venues were being explored. Peter Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election on the Labour Party platform, has embarked on a speaking tour across Nigerian universities to share his political and economic views with students.
OAU joins other institutions that have hosted similar lectures and political engagements. Universities across Nigeria regularly welcome political leaders and public figures, though the logistics differ based on the profiles of speakers and the scale of expected attendance.
The management's stance reflects broader concerns about event security on university campuses. Nigerian universities have experienced disruptions from large gatherings in the past, making administrators cautious about approving events without sufficient preparation time.
It remains unclear whether OAU would reconsider the request if organisers propose a new date with adequate notice. The university has not announced any plans to engage further with the lecture organisers or Peter Obi's team on scheduling alternatives.
