Hundreds of Diploma graduates from Lagos State University (LASU), class of 2022/2023, have accused the institution of violating its promise to grant them seamless Direct Entry (DE) admission into its degree programmes, despite many meeting — and surpassing — the required academic standards.

In a statement signed by the affected students and obtained by SaharaReporters, the group alleged that LASU has failed to handle the DE admission process with fairness, transparency, or consistency. As a result, they said, many students have been left stranded and distressed even as academic activities for the new session are already underway.

The students completed LASU’s three-year Diploma programme, which, at the point of enrolment, explicitly assured them of DE placement into degree courses as long as they maintained a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.50. However, they claim the university has not fulfilled this promise, including in cases where students earned exceptionally high CGPAs — some reportedly 4.30 and above.

The statement reads in part:

“We, the Diploma Students of Lagos State University (LASU), Set 2022/2023, issue this public statement to the media, civil society, and the general public regarding the ongoing injustice in the Direct Entry admission process that has left hundreds of students stranded despite meeting the established requirements.

“For three years, we dedicated our time, finances, and effort to a programme that expressly promised Direct Entry admission for students with a minimum CGPA of 3.50. Many of us surpassed this requirement, yet the admission process has failed to reflect fairness, transparency, or consistency.”

The students outlined several urgent demands, including:

1. Immediate and fair consideration for all Diploma students who met the CGPA requirement.
   They insist the university must honour its pledge that candidates with a CGPA of 3.50 and above qualify for Direct Entry into relevant degree programmes.
2. Guaranteed placement for candidates with CGPA 4.30 and above in their chosen courses.
   They argue that such students have demonstrated exceptional academic ability and deserve placement without delay.
3. Consideration of related courses for students with CGPA between 3.50 and 4.29.
   They maintain that no qualified student should be denied DE admission, even if placement must be adjusted to a closely related programme.
4. Immediate release of supplementary or additional admission lists.
   With lectures already in progress, they say further delay will lead to additional loss of academic days and heightened emotional strain for students and parents.
5. Transparency and accountability in the DE screening process.
   The students are demanding that LASU disclose the criteria used for this year’s Direct Entry selections and explain the exclusion of eligible candidates.

The statement stressed that the protest is not intended to disrupt university operations but to ensure justice and the fulfilment of commitments made to them at the start of their programme.

“We are not here to fight or disrupt the peace of the institution. We are simply asking for justice, fairness, and the fulfilment of the promise made to us at the beginning of our programme.

“We have done our part — we studied, we paid our fees, we completed our programme, and we met the required CGPA. We now demand that LASU does its part.”

They called on the media, student-rights groups, social justice advocates, and the general public to support their campaign until every deserving student is granted the admission slot earned through dedicated academic effort.