Four months after resuming academic activities at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), over 200 students admitted into the Doctor of Optometry programme for the 2025/2026 academic session are facing uncertainty following the university’s decision to retain only 150 students due to quota and accreditation constraints.
The affected students were part of the 350 candidates admitted into the programme through both the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the university’s internal admission process.
They received formal admission letters, paid acceptance fees, resumed in November 2025 and commenced lectures alongside their peers.
Parents, however, say the university has now informed students that only 150 candidates can remain in the Optometry programme, while the others will be transferred to different courses. This development comes barely weeks before examinations scheduled to begin in March, with several students reportedly denied clearance despite having attended lectures for months.
Parents Express Shock and Distress
One parent, who raised the concern in a message shared with ARISE TV anchor and journalist, Rufai Oseni, described the situation as deeply distressing and unfair to the students.
According to the parent, the students followed due process and acted in good faith, relying on official admission letters issued by the university and JAMB. Acceptance fees were paid specifically for Optometry, and academic activities had progressed normally until the sudden reversal.
The parent noted that the lack of clear communication from the university has compounded the distress, as students have not been informed how the 150 candidates will be selected or what criteria will be applied. Many of the affected students are in their first year and now find themselves uncertain of their academic status, even as lectures continue.
Beyond the academic implications, parents have raised concerns about the emotional and psychological impact of the situation on their children, describing the silence and uncertainty as damaging to their wellbeing.
Questions Over Accreditation Claims
The explanation offered by the university has also been questioned by members of the public, particularly the claim that accreditation and quota issues necessitated the reduction in student numbers.
Reacting to the development, a commenter identified as Chinemerem expressed scepticism, questioning how a professional programme such as Optometry could face accreditation challenges after students had already been admitted and lectures commenced.
Others have suggested alternative solutions that would minimise disruption to the students’ academic journeys. Ndudi Elumelu proposed that the university should consider deferring the admission of excess students to the following academic session, rather than compelling them to accept programmes unrelated to their interests.
A Recurring Challenge in Nigeria’s Universities
For some parents, the UNIBEN situation reflects a broader pattern of admission mismanagement within Nigeria’s public universities. Jazzman Olofin recounted a similar experience involving his child, who despite meeting the required cut off mark, was later informed that the university had stopped admitting students into the chosen course. The family eventually opted for a private university at a higher financial cost.
Another respondent, Achin Uchemba, drew parallels with past incidents at the University of Calabar, where Dentistry students were reportedly dropped in their final year after departments exceeded their approved quotas. Some of those students, he said, were forced to restart their programmes in other institutions, while others remain stranded.
Calls for Transparency and Intervention
Parents affected by the UNIBEN Optometry admission crisis are calling on the university management, the National Universities Commission and the Federal Ministry of Education to intervene urgently.
They are demanding transparency in the handling of admissions, clarity on the criteria for retaining students in the programme, and safeguards to ensure that students are not penalised for institutional lapses.
As at the time of filing this report, UNIBEN had not issued a detailed public statement addressing the concerns raised or outlining a clear resolution for the affected students.
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