5,000 candidates jostle for 50 nursing science slots at OOU — VC

Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) is experiencing unprecedented demand for its nursing science program, with over 5,000 candidates applying for only 50 available admission slots for the 2026/2027 academic session. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, also noted that approximately 4,000 candidates applied for Mass Communication, which has 120 slots.

Prof. Agboola attributed this surge in applications to significant reforms and policy initiatives undertaken by the university over the last four years. These changes have reportedly enhanced public confidence, leading to a substantial increase in student enrollment. The university saw its student population grow from 27,785 in 2022 to 34,657 in 2026. This improved profile has also reflected in OOU's global and national rankings, with its Webometrics ranking improving from around 4,000 globally in 2022 to approximately 2,700 in 2026.

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For our Open and Distance Learning programme, we had 100 students in the 2022/2023 academic session. By 2025/2026, the figure had increased to 307 students. We have now graduated the first set, which is the minimum requirement stipulated by the NUC.

In response to the growing demand and improved standing, OOU is expanding its Open and Distance Learning (ODL) program. Beginning with the 2026/2027 academic session, the university will introduce Nursing Science, Mass Communication, Computer Science, and Business Administration into its ODL offerings. This expansion follows the successful graduation of the first cohort of ODL students, meeting the National Universities Commission's minimum requirement for program expansion. The university is now ranked 15th among Nigerian universities and 51st in Africa.

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So, from the 2026/2027 academic session, we are introducing four new programmes that are highly sought after.