Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), widely known as Great Ife, has opened its doors for a major recruitment exercise in 2026. Established in 1962 as the University of Ife and later renamed after the legendary statesman Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the institution remains one of Nigeria’s most respected first-generation universities. Located in Ile-Ife, Osun State, it continues to attract talent seeking stable careers in academia, administration, healthcare, technical services and support roles.
This year’s exercise covers both academic and non-academic positions. Reports indicate roughly 130 academic and research listings alongside 51 non-academic job titles. Applications are handled exclusively online through the official portal. The deadline is Friday, 20 November 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and the university may verify credentials, conduct interviews or assessments, and require medical checks.
Whether you hold a first-class or second-class upper degree, a relevant HND, or solid professional experience, this guide breaks down the categories, typical requirements, salary ranges and application steps so you can prepare effectively.
Summary
- Company: Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
- Job Type: Full Time
- Qualification: OND/BA/BSc/HND
- Location: Osun, Nigeria
Academic Staff Recruitment 2026
Academic opportunities form the largest part of the exercise. Positions span Graduate Assistant, Assistant Lecturer, Lecturer II, Lecturer I, Junior Research Fellow and Junior Training Fellow across dozens of departments and institutes. Faculties involved include Administration, Agriculture, Arts, Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Dentistry, Education, Engineering and Technology, Law, Pharmacy, Science, Social Sciences and Nursing Science, plus specialised units such as the Institute of Cultural Studies and the Institute of Education.
General requirements and annual salary ranges (CONUASS structure, reported figures):
See More Posts in Jobs, Scholarships, Technology, Career/Motivations, Football News Feeds
Join Job Whatsapp Channel, Scholarship Whatsapp Channel, Tech Whatsapp Channel, Follow Our Twitter (X) Channel.
- Graduate Assistant: Relevant bachelor’s degree with at least Second Class Upper (2:1) and clear academic potential. Annual salary approximately ₦2,327,557–₦2,594,922.
- Assistant Lecturer: Relevant bachelor’s and master’s degrees, with doctoral studies in progress. Annual salary approximately ₦2,599,713–₦3,040,268.
- Lecturer II: Relevant PhD plus evidence of teaching and research potential. Annual salary approximately ₦2,887,448–₦3,366,138.
- Lecturer I: Relevant PhD, prescribed teaching and research experience, and scholarly publications. Annual salary approximately ₦3,511,653–₦4,387,475.
- Junior Research Fellow / Junior Training Fellow: Appropriate postgraduate research or professional qualifications and demonstrated potential. Similar higher salary band in many cases.
Departments with openings include Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Business Administration, Chemistry, Computer Science and Engineering, English, Management and Accounting, Nursing specialities, Pharmacy units, Physics, Statistics, Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, and many more. Professional registration is required where the discipline demands it (for example, in medicine, pharmacy or engineering-related fields). Digital literacy is expected, and candidates must provide NYSC discharge or exemption evidence where applicable.
Registry and Administrative Positions
The Registry handles core university administration. Advertised roles include Senior Assistant Registrar, Assistant Registrar, Administrative Officer I and II, Executive Officer, Confidential Secretary I and II, Secretarial Assistant grades, Clerical Officer, Office Assistant and Principal Data Processing Officer II.
Typical requirements progress with seniority:
- Entry-level roles such as Office Assistant or Clerical Officer usually require three to five O-level credits including English Language.
- Mid-level secretarial and executive officer positions need ND or HND in Secretarial Studies, Office Technology Management or related fields, plus typing proficiency (often around 50 words per minute) and computer skills.
- Administrative Officer and Assistant Registrar posts generally demand a bachelor’s degree of at least Second Class Lower, relevant experience (often three to six years), and ICT competence. Postgraduate qualifications or professional memberships strengthen applications.
- Senior Assistant Registrar typically requires a Second Class Lower degree plus roughly nine years of university administrative experience; postgraduate qualifications are an advantage. Reported annual salary for this grade (CONTISS 11) sits in the higher range around ₦3.1 million–₦4.2 million in some listings.
These roles support academic planning, student records, personnel matters and institutional governance.
Bursary and Audit Roles
The Bursary Department is recruiting accounting and finance personnel. Positions include Accountant I, Higher Executive Officer (Account) and Executive Officer (Account).
- Accountant I generally requires a bachelor’s degree in Accounting or a relevant discipline (at least Second Class Lower) with several years of professional experience. Computer proficiency is essential; membership of bodies such as ICAN, ANAN or ACCA is an advantage.
- Higher Executive Officer (Account) and Executive Officer (Account) accept degree/HND or ND in Accounting or related fields respectively, with appropriate O-level credits.
These positions support financial management, internal controls and audit functions across the university.
Medical Services
Healthcare roles under the university’s health services or teaching hospital-related units include Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist, Medical Laboratory Scientist, Medical Record Officer I and II, Higher Health Technician, Health Assistant II and Head Mortuary Attendant.
Requirements typically involve:
- Recognised degrees, HND or ND in Medical Laboratory Science, Health Information Science, Medical Records or related fields.
- Professional registration with relevant councils (such as the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria) where applicable.
- Internship completion and relevant experience (ranging from a few years for junior roles to senior-level experience for higher posts).
- O-level credits including English Language and often Mathematics or science subjects.
- Digital literacy.
Salary structures for health roles often follow CONHESS scales.
See Also:
- Amaiden Energy Nigeria Limited Recruitment 2026
- Analyst Job at Amaiden Energy Nigeria Limited
- Engineering Job at Amaiden Energy Nigeria Limited
Agric and Farm Positions
Agriculture-related openings appear both in academic ranks (Faculty of Agriculture departments such as Animal Sciences, Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Forest Resources and Wildlife Management) and in support roles.
Non-academic examples include Farm Assistant, Farm Attendant I, Principal Gardener and Assistant Chief Zoo Keeper. These usually require O-level credits including English Language and a relevant agricultural or horticultural subject, plus two to three years of cognate experience. Academic posts in these areas follow the standard Graduate Assistant to Lecturer ranks outlined earlier.
Technical Staff
Technical vacancies cover workshop, laboratory, engineering and ICT support. Positions include Technologist II (in areas such as Haematology and Immunology, Human Nutrition, Linguistics), Senior Technical Officer II (Library Electrical and Natural History Museum), Higher Technical Officer, Workshop Supervisor, Senior Craftsman, System Programmer (Network Engineer II) and Lab Supervisors.
Common requirements:
- Degree, HND or ND in relevant technical, engineering or scientific fields.
- Government Trade Test Grade I for craft and workshop roles, plus several years of practical experience.
- O-level credits in science or technical subjects.
- For ICT/network roles: bachelor’s in Computing, Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications or Cybersecurity, NYSC evidence and networking experience.
These roles keep laboratories, workshops, museums, libraries and campus infrastructure functioning.
Director Cadre and Senior Administrative Levels
While pure “Director” titles are not prominently listed in the current exercise, senior administrative cadres that feed into director-level progression are available. Roles such as Senior Assistant Registrar (CONTISS 11) and Assistant Registrar (CONTISS 9) represent mid-to-senior registry leadership. They require substantial university administrative experience, strong academic qualifications and professional competence. Successful candidates in these grades often progress toward higher directorate responsibilities in subsequent exercises.
Other Staff
Additional support positions span catering and hall management (Hall Attendant grades, Head Cook, Catering Supervisor, Assistant Catering Officer, Catering Officer), security (Security Officer II / Fire Officer II, Chief Security Assistant), library attendants, motor drivers and general services. Requirements range from basic O-level credits and relevant experience or trade certificates to ND/HND or degree qualifications for supervisory catering and related roles. Firefighting certification is specified for certain security positions.
How to Apply for OAU Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official vacancies portal: https://apply.oauife.edu.ng/vacancies.
- Select the specific position and department or unit that matches your qualifications.
- Read the full requirements carefully for that vacancy.
- Prepare a detailed Curriculum Vitae in the prescribed format covering personal data, education, employment history, professional memberships, research or publications (for academic roles), and other relevant achievements.
- Gather soft copies of certificates, NYSC evidence (where applicable) and supporting documents.
- Complete the online form and upload all documents.
- Provide contact details of three referees (including an academic referee where relevant). Referees may be asked to upload reports.
- Review everything carefully and submit before Friday, 20 November 2026.
For enquiries, email apply-enquiry@oauife.edu.ng. Always confirm the latest details, including any updates to deadlines or specific vacancy conditions, directly on the official portal, as secondary reports may not capture every nuance.
Tips for a Strong Application
- Match your qualifications exactly to the stated criteria for the position.
- Ensure all documents are clear, legible and consistent with the information entered on the form.
- Highlight relevant experience, publications (for academic posts) or professional registrations.
- Choose referees who can speak credibly to your suitability.
- Apply early to avoid last-minute technical issues.
- Note that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee shortlisting or appointment.
Working at OAU offers more than a salary. Staff benefit from a historic campus environment, opportunities for professional development, and the chance to contribute to one of Nigeria’s leading academic institutions. Academic staff, in particular, join a community known for research and teaching excellence.
If you meet the criteria for any of the categories above, this recruitment exercise represents a timely opportunity. Visit https://apply.oauife.edu.ng/vacancies today, review the precise vacancy that fits your background, and complete your application well before the 20 November 2026 deadline. For additional context on the university, the main site is available at www.oauife.edu.ng.