OAU Explains Last-Minute Rejection of Venue for Peter Obi’s Campus Lecture

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University has clarified why it declined to approve a venue for a planned lecture by Peter Obi, stating that the decision was based on procedural and safety concerns.

According to the institution, organisers of the event failed to give sufficient notice before the scheduled date, leaving the university with limited time to make necessary arrangements. Authorities explained that events involving prominent figures require early communication to allow for proper planning and coordination.

The university further noted that critical details about the lecture and the guest were only provided shortly before the programme, making it difficult to ensure adequate security and logistics. It stressed that such precautions are essential to safeguard attendees, staff, and the wider campus community.

The clarification comes amid concerns raised by Obi, who has recently pointed to repeated cancellations of his engagements at tertiary institutions, describing the trend as troubling for academic openness.