Parents, Students, and Universities are divided over the continued use of the Post-University Tertiary Matriculation Examination (Post-UTME) as part of the university admissions process.
Some parents and students argue the process imposes financial strain and exposes candidates to travel risks, while others say it remains necessary to assess applicants properly.
In Cross River, parent Effanga Ita described post-UTME as “illegal and fraudulent”, urging the National Assembly to legislate against it. He said some institutions charge candidates thousands of naira but fail to conduct screenings. Other parents in Uyo and Port Harcourt raised concerns about insecurity and the high cost of travel, accommodation and feeding, with some households reportedly spending over N50,000 per child.
Critics, including retired teacher Emmanuel Sule, said the examination duplicated the role of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and undermined its credibility. Students also expressed frustration, with some alleging they were denied admission despite strong results in both JAMB and post-UTME.
However, defenders insist the test remains useful. Julie Abak, of the University of Calabar, said it helped “standardise” the admission process. In contrast, a senior official at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education said it allowed institutions to verify candidates’ readiness for academic work.
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