Candidates Shocked as Their Names Appear in Lawsuit Against UNILAG & OAU
A wave of surprise crashed through Nigeria’s tertiary admissions scene after a group of 2025 applicants discovered they had their names listed as plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). The suit claimed unfair Post‑UTME practices — yet several of the named candidates say they never asked for such action. It’s reminiscent of the confusion during the 2024 JAMB mix‑ups when a similar batch of students found themselves unexpectedly caught in protest campaigns.
It all started when law firm F.K. Nnadi & Co. filed a suit in the Federal High Court in Enugu against UNILAG, OAU and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), accusing the institutions of Post‑UTME irregularities — including alleged low scoring of some candidates and unexplained withholding of results.
When the notice hit online, five names featured as plaintiffs: Success Chibuzor, Zainab Oyeleye, Adedeji Samuel, Aliat Monsuru and Bassey Nsikak. The law firm also claimed to represent “all other affected candidates” of the 2025 UNILAG and OAU Post‑UTME.
But here’s the twist: several of the named applicants say they were never told their names would be used.
One anonymous candidate said she filled out a Google form shared on X by an organisation claiming to help Post‑UTME candidates, but never anticipated being part of a legal action. “I thought it was just the way they helped people during JAMB,” she told our reporter.
Another, Success Chibuzor, said she first saw her name on the lawsuit on October 1 — but thought it was someone else. “It wasn’t until they suspended the account that I knew it was me,” she explained.
The problem spiralled when JAMB, following an ex parte ruling on September 30 by Justice Mabel Segun‑Bello, froze the CAPS profiles of the five named applicants and suspended any admission changes for the two institutions pending the outcome of the case.
For others, it’s more than just a name in a filing — it’s lost time and hope. One candidate told PREMIUM TIMES he was flagged for alleged malpractice (via AI monitoring), disqualified, then included in the lawsuit without his input. His CAPS profile got frozen — halting his attempt to apply elsewhere.
The law firm’s lawyer insists the action is on behalf of “affected candidates” and that many approached them directly. “This approach is a standard legal procedure in representative actions,” he said.
Yet the tension remains: candidates say they repeatedly asked to have their names removed but were told “they’re on it,” only to receive no follow‑up. With admission windows ticking, the uncertainty is hurting them.
This drama isn’t unique to UNILAG and OAU. Earlier this year, for example, a group of applicants to Ahmadu Bello University claimed their Post‑UTME results were delayed and many turned to social media with petitions before formal actions were even filed. The difference now: someone went straight to court — but not all those in the suit knew about it.
Conclusion
What began as a fight for transparency has become a minefield of confusion for many young Nigerians chasing university admission. Whether the lawsuit leads to justice or simply more delays remains to be seen — but for the applicants involved, the emotional toll is real. Like the ABU case earlier this year, this situation is a stark reminder that in the rush for fairness, the voices of individual students sometimes get lost.