The conduct of Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (Post-UTME) by some Nigerian universities has continued to stir controversy, with many stakeholders describing it as a “legalised means of extorting admission seekers”.
The stakeholders in Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu States made their feelings known in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
They argued that the continued administration of the additional entrance test was an unnecessary burden on parents and students.
They noted that the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), conducted annually by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), was sufficient to test candidates’ aptitude and determine their eligibility for admission into tertiary institutions.
In Ebonyi, Mr Chukwu Ogamdi, a parent, described the Post-UTME as “a revenue-generating scheme rather than an academic necessity” and called on the Federal Government to scrap it.
According to him, parents who have already paid heavily to register their children for the UTME conducted by JAMB are made to pay again for another round of testing that adds little or no value.
“The Post-UTME has become a burden on parents; universities should stop this duplication of exams.
“JAMB is competent enough to handle admission tests and its computer-based system is transparent and credible,” Ogamdi said.
Similarly, Miss Lizzy Nwafor, a student seeking admission into one of the federal universities, said the process discouraged many young Nigerians from pursuing higher education.
“After struggling with the UTME, you are faced with another exam and more money to pay; for many of us from poor backgrounds, it is disheartening, the government should intervene to protect students,” she said.
For Mr Emmanuel Okorie, a civil society activist, the essence of JAMB was being undermined by the persistence of Post-UTME.
“JAMB was established to unify admission processes; allowing universities to conduct another test is like saying JAMB is not competent; it creates confusion, wastes resources and opens the door to exploitation,” Okorie argued.
He further called on the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC) to abolish the practice and sanction institutions still involved.
Also speaking, Mrs Nkeiruka Akam, a secondary school teacher, noted that the policy had outlived its usefulness.
According to her, the initial intention was to ensure quality control in admissions, but over time, it has been allegedly abused.
“The noble purpose of Post-UTME has been defeated. Today, it is about money, not merit. Authorities must listen to the cries of parents and students and put an end to it,” she said.
The Admission Officer, Peaceland University in Enugu State, Mr Charles Igwe, says the university does not conduct post UTME for its students but depends on students given to them by JAMB.
Igwe said the school believed in the credibility of JAMB, “that is why, if JAMB says that their benchmark is 140, we take 140 and if they say it is 150, we take 150”.
He added that from his knowledge, those universities conducting Post UTME were not trying to discredit the credibility of JAMB.
He stressed that some students tried to maneuver things, citing reports where some students were being impersonated during conduct of JAMB exams and doing some funny things to pass.
“Based on this, some universities, in addition to JAMB results, conduct the post-UTME to at least, find out whether it is true that those were the students who have the results they own,” he said.
The Registrar of the university, Dr Patrick Ugwu, said the public universities such as UNN, ESUT and other big universities, had large number of student applicants.
According to him the introduction of post-UTME helped those universities to, at least, take those who really merit their admissions.
“So, it is the university that is using that medium to take those who really merited their admission because the number is always too high to be absorbed.
“If the university has a regulated quota for a particular course, it will be difficult to take all the students,” he stressed.
Similarly, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) at the Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, Prof. MarySylvia Nwachukwu, says the university does not conduct post- UTME but believes in the student’s qualifications.
She said, “We don’t do exam after JAMB as we believe that when a candidate is qualified, he or she should be admitted”.
Mr Darlington Nweze, a Secondary School Teacher, said the post UTME was not necessary, adding that JAMB exam was enough to test the ability of the students.
He argued that conducting another exam after JAMB was a dual examination on the same procedure.
According to him, a student can pass JAMB but still fail university test based on the questions.
“Universities should focus on teaching the ones admitted by JAMB in their various courses, rather than conducting another exam because it is just a means to raising revenue.
“JAMB have restricted all measures of assistance during exam; so, I believe any score that students have now is their correct score based on their individual ability,” Nweze said.
A Parent, Mrs Blessing Ani, noted that some students would score high grade in JAMB but would not obtain half of the grade in the post UTME screening exam.
According to her, some students still cheat during JAMB exam, thereby, making the exam not credible.
Speaking to NAN , a cross section of residents of Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State said they supported the use of JAMB scores by candidates for admissions.
In separate interviews with the NAN in Nsukka, they called on both Federal and State Governments to ban universities from using post-UTME as a prerequisite for admissions into tertiary institutions.
Mr Titus Idu, the Proprietor of Future Leaders Academy Secondary School Nsukka, called for the government’s intervention on the matter through National Assembly legislation.
“To me, there is no sense after candidates writing UTME exam, they will be subjected to post-UTME screening exam organised by individual tertiary institutions in the country.
” Government should decide whether to use UTME conducted by JAMB or post-UTME conducted by tertiary institutions for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria,” he said.
Mrs Florence Ogbonna, a guardian, said that government should consider the risk and financial expenses by candidates traveling long distances to write post-UTME screenings.
“What pains me most is that parents after paying for post-UTME screening and their children traveling far distance would end up not getting the admission due to some flimsy excuses.
“What these institutions are after is to get their money from the candidates and after that they will admit the number they want,” she said.
Ogbonna urged the government to choose between JAMB and tertiary institutions in the country who would be vested with the responsibility of conducting admission examinations into tertiary institutions.
Meanwhile, in Anambra, some parents and prospective students have commended the scrapping of physical Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (Post-UTME) and adoption of online screening methods.
Major universities including Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Paul University, and several private institutions across Anambra have adopted online screening for student admissions.
The parents and students told NAN that the shift from physical Post-UTME exams to online screening reduced stress, saved costs and improved accessibility for applicants nationwide.
Mrs Ngozi Ezenwa, a parent resident in Oyo State whose son applied to NAU, praised the initiative, describing it as a welcome relief.
“When his elder brother applied to NAU in 2017, he traveled from Oyo to Awka and spent several days dealing with registration procedures, securing accommodation and sitting for the exams.
“I could not travel with him because of work. We spent so much on transport, accommodation, feeding and even phone calls just to stay in touch; all for a simple screening exercise.
“This is a welcome relief. With the online system, my son paid the sum of N2,000 and got everything done at a cyber cafe with less anxiety,” she said.
Another parent, Mr Kenneth Agboola, an Engineer, whose daughter recently applied to COOU, raised concerns about the transparency of the online screening process.
“I think it is a good development. It saves money and reduces the risk of our children traveling far. But my worry is about fairness. Will the online system be fair and transparent?” he asked
Chisimdi Adogah, a prospective law student at NAU who resides in Lagos, said she paid N2,000 to register online and uploaded her JAMB scores, O’Level results and other relevant academic records.
“I submitted my documents online, paid the processing fee of N2,000, and I’m waiting for my screening results. I will get it from my phone or email.
Similarly, Janet Ojomo, who applied to COOU, recounted that she went to a cyber cafe to complete her online registration and is now awaiting her screening results.
However, Franklin Okwaraogu, a prospective student of NAU, said he preferred physical exams to online screening, as there could be internet glitches or failures.
“What if the internet connection fails? Or if there are errors in the screening process?
“At least with the physical exam, you know your performance is based on your effort in the exams,” he said.
University administrators who spoke to NAN said the decision to adopt online screening was driven by years of logistical difficulties in organising the Post-UTME exams.
Dr Harrison Madubeze, Public Relations Officer at COOU, said that admission screening now relied on JAMB scores and O’Level results to determine the internal cut-off marks.
“COOU stopped requiring prospective students to sit for the Post-UTME examination five years ago.
“The university now uses the results uploaded by students to determine the internal cut-off marks.
“There was no specific reason given for scrapping the physical Post-UTME, but I believe many institutions abandoned it due to logistical challenges and the burden of organizing the exams,” he said.