2025/2026 ADMISSION EXERCISE: A VICTIM OF OUR OWN SUCCESS
Over the past few days, the University has followed with keen attention the numerous social media posts and comments relating to the ongoing 2025/2026 admission exercise at Lagos State University (LASU).
Ordinarily, the University owes no applicant any explanation as to why he/she was, or was not, admitted. However, a troubling and potentially misleading narrative has begun to circulate on social media, particularly with regard to allegations of admission racketeering by members of staff. As a responsive institution, LASU cannot remain silent, for silence risks allowing misinformation to harden into accepted truth.
It is therefore important to establish the following facts for the benefit of the public:
i. Lagos State University Law 2004 (As amend), Ch. L69, Vol. 7, Section 3, item “m”, provides that “the University shall have the power to adopt a merit-driven admission policy, open to Nigerian and International students, with special preference for Lagosians, using a guiding principle of 70:30 (Lagos State Indigenes : Others), whenever possible.” This means that, after the merit list (strictly based on performance) is released, Lagos State indigenes are prioritised before candidates from other states are considered.
ii. In line with this principle, the University has offered admission to candidates of all origins who achieved the highest scores in each course (merit admission), as well as all qualified, cleared, and verified indigenes of Lagos State (supplementary and discretionary admission). Any indigene who has not yet received an offer is encouraged to keep checking their status, as more admission lists will be released.
It is also worth noting that LASU was the most subscribed university in Nigeria in the 2025 JAMB UTME, with over 70,000 applicants. Given that fewer than 20% of that number can be admitted, it is regrettable but inevitable that many otherwise qualified candidates will not gain admission. This reality explains – though it does not justify – the frustration being expressed on social media.
What concerns the University most, however, are the allegations of admission racketeering. While it is not inconceivable that a few unscrupulous individuals may falsely claim to “sell” admission slots, the truth remains that the power to admit students rests solely with the Vice-Chancellor. No member of staff has the authority or capacity to offer admission in exchange for money. Candidates are therefore strongly advised that anyone making such claims is preying on desperation and cannot deliver on such promises.
The university refutes, in the strongest possible terms, the suggestion that admission can be bought. We sympathise sincerely with candidates who, despite strong results, could not be admitted, but LASU cannot be coerced or blackmailed into exceeding its approved capacity.
Nonetheless, Management takes allegations of racketeering seriously. Applicants or members of the public with verifiable evidence are encouraged to report such cases via complaints.admissions@lasu.edu.ng. Every genuine report will be thoroughly investigated, and anyone found culpable will face the full weight of disciplinary measures.
In the end, LASU’s greatest challenge is also the clearest evidence of its progress: that tens of thousands aspire to be part of our community. We are, indeed, victims of our own success. But success also demands responsibility, on the part of the University to uphold transparency and merit, and on the part of applicants and the public to resist the temptation of misinformation. For while disappointment is temporary, truth endures, and LASU remains committed to ensuring that truth – fair, open, and merit-based- guides every admission decision.
We are LASU, We are Great!
Signed
Thomas-Onashile Oluwayemisi A.
Deputy Registrar/Coordinator, Centre for Information and Public Relations, Lagos State University
