Authorities at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) have declined to release Oduduwa Hall for a planned lecture by Peter Obi, citing inadequate notice and security concerns.
In a statement issued on Monday, the university said a student group invited Obi but failed to properly notify management of the high-profile nature of the event until just a day before it was scheduled.
According to the institution, events involving prominent public figures require advance communication to allow coordination with security agencies such as the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services.
The university stressed that without sufficient time to put logistics and security arrangements in place, it could not approve the use of the venue.
“The decision was taken purely in the interest of safety, orderliness and adherence to established protocols,” the statement said, adding that the move does not reflect any disregard for Obi.
OAU also reaffirmed its commitment to hosting intellectual engagements and notable personalities, provided organisers follow due process and give adequate notice.
The clarification follows concerns raised by Obi, who said the lecture was cancelled at short notice despite being scheduled months earlier. He revealed that the event was to hold at 9am on Saturday before his planned attendance at a political summit in Ibadan.
Obi described the development as part of a growing pattern, claiming similar cancellations have occurred more than ten times in recent months.
He further contrasted the situation with his recent speaking engagements at top global institutions such as University of Oxford, University of Cambridge and Harvard University, where his lectures proceeded without disruption.
The situation has sparked debate over administrative processes, freedom of engagement on campuses, and the logistics of hosting high-profile figures in Nigerian universities.
