Can Admission in LASU Be Bought? Nigerian University Speaks Out
- The Lagos State University (LASU) vowed to uphold transparency and merit in its admission process
- LASU is the most preferred institution in the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) 2025 UTME application, receiving 79,000 first-choice applications
- LASU asked applicants and the public to resist the temptation of patronising 'unscrupulous individuals who may falsely claim to sell admission slots'
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering education matters in Nigeria.
Iba, Lagos state - The Lagos State University (LASU) on Friday, September 5, refuted "in the strongest possible terms" the suggestion that admission can be bought.
In a statement signed by Thomas-Onashile Oluwayemisi, its deputy registrar/coordinator, Centre for Information and Public Relations, obtained by Legit.ng, LASU reacted to allegations of admission racketeering by members of staff.
Source: Twitter
LASU admission list
The state-owned institution stressed that the power to admit students "rests solely with the Vice-Chancellor".
LASU's statement reads:
"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."
Source: UGC
Furthermore, LASU said its management is taking allegations of admission racketeering seriously.
It said:
"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."
Read more LASU-related news:
- Lagos govt intervenes in LASU staff strike, “during these meetings”
- Biochemistry graduate announced overall best-graduating student at LASU
LASU student allegedly murdered
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the body of a 28-year-old graduate of LASU, Adedamola Ogunbode, was exhumed from a shallow grave behind the school's fence in its Ojo Campus.
The LASU student was killed weeks before the 28th convocation ceremony of the institution.
The deceased's decomposing body was found near a church in Ojo.
Source: Legit.ng
