Nigerian University, UNIBEN, Admits over 15,000 Students for 2025/26 Session
- The University of Benin admitted 15,077 students for the 2025/2026 academic session, the highest intake in the institution’s history
- Vice-Chancellor Prof. Edoba Omoregie said many of the students are pioneers of about 20 newly introduced courses and programmes
- The VC warned against cultism, drug abuse and examination malpractice, stressing that UNIBEN operates a zero-tolerance policy on social vices
Legit.ng's Muslim Muhammad Yusuf is a 2025 Wole Soyinka Award-winning journalist with over 8 years of experience in investigative reporting, human rights, politics, governance and accountability in Nigeria.
The University of Benin (UNIBEN) has admitted a total of 15,077 students for the 2025/2026 academic session, marking the highest intake in the history of the institution.
The vice-chancellor of the university, Professor Edoba Omoregie, disclosed this during the institution’s matriculation ceremony held in Benin on Thursday, January 29.
Source: UGC
Omoregie, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said the matriculation was particularly significant as many of the fresh students were pioneers of about 20 newly introduced courses and programmes.
“At this ceremony, a total of 15,077 students are being admitted formally into the various Faculties, Schools, Centres and Programmes,” the vice-chancellor said.
The UNIBEN boss emphasised that the students were admitted strictly on merit, urging them to uphold excellence throughout their academic stay.
According to him, merit and excellence should remain their guiding principles during their time at the institution.
UNIBEN’s legacy and values
Describing UNIBEN as a first-generation university and one of the most sought-after institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa, Omoregie said the university has, over the past 55 years, sustained its reputation for quality teaching, learning and impactful research.
He added that meaningful community engagement also forms a key part of the institution’s strengths.
The vice-chancellor noted that these values are reflected in the university’s motto, “Knowledge for Service.”
Warning against social vices
Omoregie warned the newly admitted students against engaging in cultism, drug abuse, examination malpractice and other social vices, stressing that the university operates a zero-tolerance policy.
He said students found engaging in secret cult activities, use or sale of illicit drugs, examination malpractice and other immoral acts would face expulsion.
Source: Twitter
VC's advice to new UNIBEN students
The vice-chancellor urged the students to remain focused on their academic goals, engage constructively with lecturers and staff, and make effective use of the university’s academic, sporting and extracurricular facilities.
He encouraged them to learn positively while unlearning habits that could hinder their personal and academic development.
Omoregie also expressed appreciation to parents, guardians and sponsors for trusting the university with their children and wards.
He congratulated the new students, formally welcomed them to the University of Benin and prayed for divine guidance and success in their academic journey.
Figures of admission raise quality concerns
Reacting to the development, Kaduna-based educationist Musa Zubairu told Legit.ng that while expanding access to higher education is commendable, the admission figure raises important questions about infrastructure and academic capacity.
“Admitting over 15,000 students is not a problem in itself, but the key issue is whether the university has the facilities, lecturers, and learning resources to support such numbers,” Zubairu said.
The educationist explained that overcrowded lecture halls, limited laboratory space, and inadequate student-to-lecturer ratios could negatively affect academic standards if not properly addressed. He noted that effective teaching requires manageable class sizes that allow for interaction, assessment, and mentorship.
“If class sizes become too large, lecturers will struggle to give attention to students, and the quality of learning may decline. Education is not just about admission numbers; it is about outcomes,” he added.
However, Zubairu said the high intake could be sustainable if UNIBEN has made corresponding investments in infrastructure and staffing.
Courses to study with low UTME scores
In an earlier report by Legit.ng, there were no fewer than seven alternative courses that students who scored low marks in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) could study.
These courses have low UTME cut-off marks for admission, but are still highly valuable and rewarding.
Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
