The University of Benin (UNIBEN) has released an important update for students newly admitted into the institution for the 2025/2026 academic session, following reports of challenges encountered during the ongoing clearance exercise.

According to the University Management, feedback from various faculties and administrative units revealed that some candidates who were offered provisional admission have been experiencing difficulties while attempting to complete their clearance.

Clearance Problems Affecting Optometry Students

UNIBEN specifically acknowledged complaints from students admitted into the Optometry programme, where some candidates were reportedly denied clearance due to claims of limited admission quota from a professional body.

In response, the University clarified that it is not directly regulated by any professional body. Instead, UNIBEN operates under the supervision of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Federal Ministry of Education (FME). As a result, the institution emphasized that no student who meets the approved minimum entry requirements will be denied clearance into any programme for which provisional admission has been granted.

What Affected Students Should Do

Students who have been affected by any contrary directives including those in the Optometry programme have been advised to return to their respective faculties and report to the appropriate clearance officers to complete their clearance as soon as possible.

University Management Reassures Students

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Edoba B. Omoregie, SAN, along with the University Management, reassured students that the University remains committed to fairness and transparency. Management stressed that only candidates who fail to meet the minimum academic requirements may be denied clearance, and not those who were duly admitted.

Directive to Deans and Clearance Officers

In addition, all Deans and Clearance Officers have been instructed to take note of this official position and ensure that the clearance process is carried out accordingly across all faculties.

UNIBEN encourages all newly admitted students to act promptly and resolve any clearance issues to avoid delays in their academic activities for the new session.