About the Department
A full-fledged Department of Political Science was established in the 1967/1968 session. Prior to the establishment of the Department, available courses in political science were taught in the Faculty of Economics and Social Studies, which was later renamed Faculty of Social Sciences in 1963/64 academic session.
In the 1971/72 session, the Faculty of Social Sciences initiated a programme called Government, Philosophy and Economics (GPE), which was supervised by the Dean of the Faculty. The GPE was transferred to the Department of Political Science in the 1975/76 session. The title of the programme has since been changed to Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE). Also, students from other faculties, notably Education and Arts, often combine Political Science with their areas of specialisation.
The Department continues to make significant contributions to the field both within and outside the country. Since inception, the Department has played host to a number of distinguished scholars some of whom served as Head of Department. Among the former Heads of Department are Dr. W. E. Stewart, Professor S. N. Varma, Professor R. A. Akindele, Mr. J. A. Akintunde, Dr. Anthony Oyewole and Professor Oye Ogunbadejo. Others are Professor Leo Dare, Dr. Yomi Durotoye, Professor Felix Alalade, Dr. Kola. J. Olufemi, Mr. O. A. Ayeni-Akeke, Professor O. A. Bamisaye, Professor Femi Mimiko, Professor Sat Obiyan and Dr. Olu Awofeso.
At the moment, the Department coordinates two undergraduate and three postgraduate degree programmes. These are:
- B.Sc. Political Science
- B.Sc. Politics, Philosophy and Economics
- Master in Political Science (MPS)
- M.Sc. Political Science (with thesis)
- PhD Political Science
CONTACT US
For general enquiries, please contact the Department at:
The Head,
Department of Political Science,
Room 150, Faculty of Social Sciences,
Obafemi Awolowo University,
Ile-Ife, Nigeria
Email: pol@oauife.edu.ng
Undergraduate Programmes
Admission into the Department of Political Science for undergraduate programmes is through Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Examinations or such other concessional examinations that the University may operate, in addition to what the University has established as ’prima facie’ requirements for entry into the Faculty of Social Sciences. Candidates for the B.Sc. degree programmes must have a Senior Secondary School Certificate or General Certificate of Education or their equivalents with at least five credits, including English, Mathematics and Government in not more than two sittings (for Political Science) and at least five credits, including English, Mathematics, Government and Economics in not more than two sittings (for PPE).
The Department also admits through Direct Entry. Direct Entry candidates must: (i) satisfy the admission requirements for admission to the University as specified above; and (ii) possess five credit passes in the General Certificate of Education or its equivalent of which at least two shall be at the advanced level, or five credit passes of which at least three shall be at the advanced level, provided such passes are not counted at both levels of the examinations, or (iii) Hold diploma/higher national diploma in local government studies, public administration, political studies or international studies/relations provided such programmes are credible and based in reputable institutions.
The duration of undergraduate programmes is normally 8 semesters for regular and 6 semesters for Direct Entry. Further information on our undergraduate programmes are available in our Departmental Handbook.
POSTGRADUATE
An Applicant for Master’s Degree programmes (MPS and M.Sc.) shall normally possess not lower than Second Class (Lower Division) Honours Degree of the Obafemi Awolowo University or any other approved University. An applicant for admission to the Ph.D. Degree programme shall be a graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University or any other approved University who possesses a Master’s Degree with research thesis and a weighted coursework average which shall normally be not less than 60% (B+). In addition, ALL Candidates should please note that in accordance with the University regulations, they must satisfy the O’ Level requirements for matriculation into first degree programmes of the Department, i.e. Five Credit passes at not more than two sittings including English Language, Mathematics and Government.
The duration for the Master in Political Science (MPS) is 2 Semesters; M.Sc. Political Science is 4 Semesters while PhD Political Science is 6 semesters minimum for Full-Time and 8 semesters minimum duration for Part-Time (for Staff only).