Obi raises concern after OAU lecture cancellation, warns of shrinking academic space

Former statesmanlike campaigner of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has expressed interest implicit what helium described arsenic a increasing signifier of cancelled world engagements successful Nigerian universities, pursuing the abrupt withdrawal of a scheduled lecture astatine Obafemi Awolowo University.

He disclosed this successful a connection posted connected his authoritative leafage connected April 25 2026.

According to him, helium was billed to present a keynote code astatine the instauration by 9am earlier proceeding to Ibadan for a governmental summit, but was informed astatine the past infinitesimal that the assemblage lawsuit would nary longer clasp arsenic planned.

Obi noted that the invitation had been extended months earlier, with preparations already concluded earlier the cancellation.

While describing the incidental arsenic concerning, helium said it was not an isolated case, claiming that akin situations person occurred repeatedly successful caller times.

“This has present happened much than 10 times. This is nary longer incidental; it points to a troubling pattern,” helium said.

He further recalled a akin improvement involving his alma mater University of Nigeria, Nsukka, wherever a planned lecture successful honour of erstwhile Vice Chancellor, Frank Ndili, was besides called disconnected connected the scheduled date.