Students’ Union congress meeting held on Friday January 17, the Union President, Damilola Omoboriowo (Dr. Bush), made clear that OAU Management promised to provide students with Identification cards before the commencement of the 2023/2024 Harmattan semester examination.
The notice came in tandem with students’ confrontation at the congress on the school’s stance on the provision of identification cards. According to Damilola, the management ‘specifically’ told him they would provide students with their identity cards before the semester examination.
According to the Students’ Union President at the congress, the management had earlier test-run the effectiveness of the smart cards, initially aimed to be introduced into the university system, at the hall of residence level but technically failed to meet expectations, amounting to its presumed ineffectiveness at the university maximal level if eventually introduced.
The SU President further stated since earlier proposed smart cards have failed to meet technical expectations at the test-run level, he informed the management to provide students with the previously existing ID card which they assured to provide before the examination period.
However, the Harmattan semester examination which commenced in July failed to provide students with ID cards
Over the years, the status quo has always been students being carriers of expired ID cards, one-timely issued in their early year of admission as the University has consistently failed in renewing their identity cards.
Even after the semester examination, this reporter has equally confirmed information recently disseminated to some set of students emphatically stating the inability to provide a valid means of identification will deter them from sitting for their examination.
Matriculated fresh students are yet to be issued ID cards
Investigation revealed the recently matriculated fresh students of the University are still yet to be issued their Identity cards as the examination is set to begin in May 2025.
When this reporter contacted some sets of fresh students, it was gathered that the semester’s continuous assessments were written with course registration forms devised as means of identification while some others were issued letters of identification stamped by their Head of Department.
“We were asked to submit our course form but was later returned. So, they just gave us one piece of paper as our identification and our passport is attached.” Seyi Adeniji told this reporter.
This reporter confirming whether further development has been made by the University in preparation for their examination, Wahab Fathiu said nothing of such, as they were only directed to provide their course registration form as a means of identification.
“Since we have not been given identification cards, we were told to use our course form stamped by the HOD as a means of Identification” Wahab disclosed.
Students at liberty; ride on free access to examination hall
The failure of the University to provide students with timely renewed ID cards over the years has compelled some departments from verifying students’ identity before sitting for examination as confirmed.
According to students when this reporter contacted them, it was disclosed there has not been adherence to verifying their identity as students ride on free access to the examination hall without any form of identification query from invigilators.
However, further findings revealed students in their penultimate and final years are majorly the set of students caught in this seemingly pandemic.
What we know now about OAU students ID Card
May 2025: The Student Affairs Division acknowledged the “unexpected long delay” in producing and delivering customized smart ID cards, assuring that the first batch would be ready by Wednesday, May 28.
Late May 2025: Frustrated by the delays, students staged protests, stressing that the ID cards were compulsory for examinations. The Dean of Student Affairs reiterated that the first batch was being prioritized for delivery by May 28.
June 2025: As the 2024/2025 semester examinations commenced, tensions escalated when dozens of students discovered their names missing from the distribution lists. Many were denied entry into exam halls for lack of official ID cards.
