By Correspondents.
The Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (Post-UTME), a test many Nigerian universities use to screen applicants before admission, remains a hotly debated subject. In Kogi, Niger, and Nasarawa states, parents, students, and education stakeholders are divided over whether the exercise is a necessary safeguard for merit-based admission or an outdated burden on families.
Supporters of Post-UTME argue that it strengthens the integrity of Nigeria’s admission process.
In Lokoja, Dr. Charles Williams, Rector, Nigeria-Korea Friendship Institute of Vocational and Advanced Technology, traced its origin to doubts over the credibility of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
“The Post-UTME came into existence when JAMB’s credibility was being doubted. Institutions sought to further screen candidates to ensure that only the most qualified were admitted,” he said.
Parents like Dr. Simeon Omakoji, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Kogi, also see value in the exercise, provided corruption is eliminated. Some students, including Miss Grace Ogundare of the Federal University, Lokoja, believe the examination gives a fairer assessment of candidates’ abilities.
In Nasarawa, applicants such as Miss Patience Emmanuel and Mr. Peter Samuel welcomed the test, saying it allowed students to “defend” both their JAMB and O’Level results.
On the other hand, critics describe Post-UTME as exploitative, costly, and stressful for families.
Mr. Hamza Aliyu, Chairman of the Kogi NGO Network (KONGONET), dismissed the examination as unnecessary, arguing that it undermines the centralised admission framework already provided by JAMB. He instead called for a decentralised admission system.
Parents such as Mrs. Joy Adaji and Mr. Biobaku Chris echoed concerns over the financial and logistical difficulties associated with the exam. They pointed to travel costs, accommodation, insecurity, and allegations of exploitation.
In Nasarawa, Mr. Saidu Musa questioned why universities that eventually admit fewer than 2,000 students force over 10,000 candidates to pay Post-UTME fees. He urged schools to scrap the charges to ease parents’ financial stress.
In Niger State, communications expert, Dr. Abdullahi Jabi, called for a digital approach. “Candidates should sit for the examinations in their localities rather than travel long distances. All they need do is indicate their institution of choice,” he suggested.
Parents like Hajia Halimat Musa and Malam Nurudeen Ibrahim narrated their ordeals. Musa described her 2023 trip to the University of Ilorin with her daughter as “a harrowing experience,” while Ibrahim said online screening would ease hardships and reduce risks.
Many respondents called on the Federal Government and institutions to invest more in Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres and adopt online screening models like those used by the Federal University of Lafia and Federal University, Oye-Ekiti.
Such reforms, they argued, would ease the burden on parents and students, reduce corruption, and still maintain the credibility of the admission process.
For now, Post-UTME remains a test not only of academic readiness but also of endurance,for both students and their families.
With agency reports.
(Edited by Dada Ahmed)
