By, Theophilus Chibuzo Oliver
The Management of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) has directed all duly admitted students in the 2025/2026 academic session, particularly those in the Faculty of Optometry, to present themselves for clearance following reported difficulties in the clearance process.
In an internal memo signed by Management, the university stated that it had become aware that some students offered provisional admission were experiencing challenges with clearance in certain faculties, with Optometry specifically mentioned.
“It has come to the attention of the Management of the University of Benin that some students offered provisional admission in the current academic session are having difficulties clearing in some faculties; in particular, the Faculty of Optometry,” the memo read.
Management added that it frowned at the development and instructed all duly admitted students to return to their respective departments and faculties, including the Faculty of Optometry, to present themselves for clearance.
The directive follows an earlier report obtained on X(Twitter) which highlighted concerns raised by parents and students over the admission of about 350 students into the Doctor of Optometry programme for the 2025/2026 session, despite allegations that the programme’s quota and accreditation capacity stood at 150 students.
According to that report, the affected students had received admission letters from both UNIBEN and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), paid acceptance fees, resumed lectures in November 2025, and had been attending academic activities for over four months before being informed that some of them might be transferred to other programmes.
Parents and students had also alleged that several candidates were being denied clearance and faced uncertainty ahead of examinations scheduled for March 2026, with no clear explanation of how the students to be retained in the programme would be selected.
While the management memo directs students to present themselves for clearance, it did not provide details on the reported quota and accreditation issues, the number of students to be retained in the Faculty of Optometry, or the criteria that will guide the clearance process.
As of the time of filing this report, UNIBEN has yet to issue further clarification on the academic status of the affected students or the implications of the directive on the forthcoming examinations.
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