The University of Ibadan has opened a special admission window for qualified candidates seeking to earn degrees through its Open, Distance and eLearning program, ODeL, following limitations in available spaces for conventional on-campus admission.
The initiative is aimed at giving another opportunity to candidates who participated in the university’s Post-UTME screening but could not secure admission through the regular face-to-face mode because of admission quotas and limited physical space.
The university said the programme would allow eligible candidates to pursue degree programmes without the need to secure a place in the conventional on-campus system.
According to a statement by the Director of the University of Ibadan Distance Learning Centre, Prof. Olufade Onifade, the special application window for the 2025/2026 academic session will close on August 15, 2026.
The university said classes for the special cohort are expected to begin on August 17, 2026.
The development is expected to provide an alternative for candidates who met the requirements for admission but were unable to secure one through the conventional mode.
The university said candidates who sat for the 2026 UI Post-UTME examination are eligible to switch from the conventional mode to the ODeL program at no cost.
Onifade explained that the ODeL program was designed to provide flexible learning opportunities for students who may not be able to study through the regular on-campus system.
“The UI-ODeL programme provides flexible, virtual classes with mobile learning, interactive course materials, and physical revision sessions. Courses are taught by the same faculty lecturers who handle conventional programmes, and learners graduate with the same prestigious University of Ibadan degree,” he said.
The program offers first-degree courses in a number of disciplines, providing candidates with different options based on their interests and qualifications.
Among the programs available are Bachelor of Science degrees in Computer Science, Statistics, Psychology, Economics, Political Science and other related fields.
The university also offers Bachelor of Arts programs in English and Communication and Language Arts.
Other programs include Bachelor of Education in Educational Management and Bachelor of Social Work, among others.
The university said the special admission window was particularly important because of the increasing number of young Nigerians seeking admission into tertiary institutions each year.
The conventional university system has limited capacity, meaning that many candidates who meet admission requirements may still be unable to secure places because the number of applicants is much higher than the spaces available.
The ODeL system provides institutions with an opportunity to reach more students by reducing dependence on physical classroom spaces.
Under the program, students can access lectures and learning materials remotely while taking part in other academic activities designed to support their studies.
The University of Ibadan said students under the ODeL programme would be taught by lecturers who also handle conventional programs.
The institution added that students would receive the same University of Ibadan degree upon successful completion of their programmes.
This is expected to address concerns among prospective students about whether distance-learning graduates receive the same recognition as students who attend conventional programmes.
The university’s Distance Learning Centre has continued to provide alternative learning opportunities for candidates who require flexibility in pursuing higher education.
Distance learning has also become increasingly important in Nigeria as universities face challenges relating to limited infrastructure, growing student populations and the need to expand access to higher education.
The ODeL model allows students to combine education with other responsibilities and reduces the need for students to relocate to the university’s main campus.
For candidates who participated in the 2026 UI Post-UTME, the latest announcement provides an opportunity to remain within the university’s admission system even if they were not offered a place through the conventional mode.
Onifade said such candidates were eligible for the free change-of-mode offer.
“Candidates who took the 2026 UI PUTME qualify for the free change-of-mode offer. Such candidates are required to visit the official change-of-mode application portal to switch their mode of study from the conventional on-campus option to the ODeL programme,” he said.
The university also clarified that candidates who did not participate in the Post-UTME could apply afresh if they met the requirements for the available programmes.
“Other interested candidates who are qualified may submit a fresh application for the special cohort,” the statement added.
The university urged interested candidates not to wait until the final day before completing their applications.
With the August 15 deadline approaching, the institution warned that available spaces could be filled before the closing date.
The special cohort is scheduled to commence classes two days after the application deadline, with the first classes expected to begin on August 17.
Candidates interested in the programme are therefore expected to confirm their eligibility, select their preferred course and complete the necessary application process before the deadline.
The move by the University of Ibadan is also in line with the broader effort by Nigerian universities to expand access to higher education through technology and flexible learning methods.
Nigeria has continued to face a large gap between the number of young people seeking university admission and the number of available spaces in conventional institutions.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, conducts the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination for candidates seeking admission into universities and other tertiary institutions, but performance in the examination alone does not guarantee admission because institutions also consider their available capacity and programme quotas.
As a result, some candidates who perform well in entrance examinations may still be unable to secure places in their preferred programmes.
The ODeL route offers such candidates another opportunity to pursue university education without depending entirely on physical classroom capacity.
For the University of Ibadan, the special cohort is expected to provide additional opportunities for qualified candidates while making better use of its distance-learning platform.
The university advised prospective students to take advantage of the opportunity before the August 15 deadline.
Candidates who successfully complete the change-of-mode process will join the ODeL programme, while other eligible applicants can submit fresh applications for consideration.
The university also encouraged candidates to rely on official information and application channels when seeking admission into the special cohort.
With classes scheduled to begin on August 17, the institution is expected to move quickly from the application process to the commencement of academic activities.
The initiative is therefore expected to provide a second chance for candidates who could not secure conventional admission while expanding access to University of Ibadan degree programmes through online and distance learning.