Nigerian universities continue to adopt the post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (Post-UTME) as a second-level screening process, aimed at curbing admission fraud and raising academic standards. The exercise was introduced to complement the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) UTME, ensuring candidates are genuinely qualified for higher education.
While the test is widely regarded as an important quality assurance tool, many parents, students, and stakeholders remain divided on its impact.
In Ondo State, Dr. Bolaji Oshodi, Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Adekunle Ajasin University, noted that Post-UTME has been instrumental in filtering out candidates who obtained secondary school results through dubious means. He explained that in a country where some candidates rely on “miracle centres” for their results, the exam helps to test true academic ability. However, he cautioned that the process could be undermined if not handled with transparency.
The President of the National Association of Ondo State Students (NAOSS), Comrade Tosin-Temitope Alade, described Post-UTME as a vital mechanism for maintaining quality in admissions. He emphasized that the test was not created to undermine JAMB but to serve as an additional filter to identify the most suitable candidates for various courses. According to him, many institutions now conduct the exercise virtually, allowing students to complete screening from home before physical verification on campus.
At the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), the Public Relations Officer, Adegbenro Adebayo, explained that the institution’s screening combines UTME scores and SSCE results. Similarly, Dr. Muyiwa Oke, proprietor of Harvard International Schools, Osogbo, stressed that Post-UTME ensures only the best candidates gain admission, though he urged institutions to be more considerate with the fees charged.
Not all stakeholders share this enthusiasm. A parent, Mr. Adigun Adebisi, argued that the examination should be scrapped because it often denies students with good UTME scores the chance at admission. He alleged that the process favours wealthier families and well-connected candidates.
The Public Relations Officer of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Mr. Abiodun Olanrewaju, however, defended the practice, saying the test helps separate “the wheat from the chaff.” He added that while OAU conducts virtual screening, some institutions lack the infrastructure to do the same.
In Ekiti State, educationist Mr. Sunday Ibidapo remarked that Post-UTME was designed to correct irregularities in the admission process, especially cases of inflated UTME scores. Still, he raised concerns about the lack of uniformity across universities, the financial burden on parents, and the additional pressure it places on students.
A teacher, Mr. Amos Adewale, called on the Federal Government to regulate the process more strictly or scrap it altogether, citing high charges for screening, acceptance, and clearance. He recounted a harrowing personal experience where his vehicle was attacked by armed robbers while traveling with his son for Post-UTME at the University of Lagos.
Parents have also voiced concerns about rising costs. A trader, Mrs. Funso Ologuntoye, noted that fees have risen from N2,000 in the past to between N5,000 and N10,000 depending on the institution. She said she spent about N75,000 on accommodation and feeding for her daughter to sit for the test.
Some students see the exam as more of a revenue-generating scheme than an academic exercise. Undergraduate Bayo Ogundipe argued that institutions often collect fees from thousands of candidates, only to admit a fraction of them. He urged the Federal Government to rely solely on JAMB scores for admissions.
On the other hand, lecturer Dr. Wole Balogun insisted that the exam is necessary for universities to assess candidates’ preparedness for higher learning. He acknowledged the financial strain on families but maintained that the cost is justified if it ensures quality education.