A scheduled keynote lecture by former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, at Obafemi Awolowo University has sparked debate, with both the institution and the politician offering differing accounts of the circumstances leading to its cancellation.
In a statement, posted on his x page the former Anambra state Governor described the development as “troubling,” warning of a shrinking space for intellectual engagement in Nigerian universities. He said he had been invited months earlier to speak at the institution and had planned to deliver the lecture before proceeding to Ibadan for a political summit.
According to him, the abrupt cancellation reflects a broader pattern, alleging that similar incidents have occurred multiple times across the country, including at the University of Nigeria.
He stressed that universities should remain centres of open dialogue, critical thinking and the free exchange of ideas, warning that repeated disruptions of such engagements raise concerns about the nation’s academic environment.
Obi contrasted the situation with his recent experiences abroad, where he has delivered lectures at leading institutions such as University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Harvard University, Yale University, Princeton University, University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania and Imperial College London, noting that such environments encourage openness and robust intellectual exchange.
However, the university management offered a different explanation, stating that the invitation was extended by a group within the student body without adequate prior notification to the authorities.
In its official statement, the university said it only became aware of the status and calibre of the guest a day before the scheduled event, making it difficult to complete necessary logistical and security arrangements.
The institution emphasised that visits by high-profile personalities require coordination with agencies such as the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services to ensure safety on campus.
Consequently, it said approval for the use of Oduduwa Hall could not be granted due to the short notice, stressing that the decision was based on safety considerations and adherence to established protocols, not a slight on Obi’s person.
The Vice Chancellor, Adebayo Simeon Bamire, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to hosting intellectual engagements, provided due process is followed.
The incident has since generated conversation around academic freedom, institutional procedures and the balance between open discourse and administrative protocols in Nigerian universities.
