THE MOVE BY LEADAP TO STOP Post-UTME.

The Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP) has filed a suit at the Federal
High Court, Abuja, seeking to abolish the post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation
Examination (post-UTME) test conducted by universities and polytechnics before
offering admission to students.
The suit was filed recently by Mr Chino Edmund Obiagwu, lead counsel for LEDAP,
against the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the National
Universities Commission (NUC) and the Ministry of Education, as 1 st, 2nd and 3rd
defendants respectively.
In the suit, the group claims that there is no law empowering tertiary institutions to
subject candidates to a second test and screening exercise after the UTME by JAMB,
adding that the exercise has become a source of boldfaced corruption, as officials of
the institutions charge candidates exorbitantly, using post-UTME as a smokescreen.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board was established in 1978 by the
Federal Government of Nigeria as a centralized examination body for candidates
seeking admission into Nigerian universities. Prior to JAMB, individual universities
developed and operated their own admission systems and conducted their own
examinations based on a myriad of criteria and standards. The system allowed each
candidate to send multiple applications to several universities at the same time,
sometimes resulting in multiple admissions for one candidate and depriving others
of admission opportunities.
It was against the background of the forgoing that JAMB was established in 1978.
The primary objectives were, interalia, to ensure uniformity in admission standards,
equitable distribution of candidates and fairness in the selection method, thereby
offering equal opportunities to all applicants. To be eligible for admission,
candidates must satisfy the general entry requirements stipulated by JAMB.
In the pre-JAMB era, the total enrolment in Nigerian universities was about 30,000.
Today, over a million candidates seek admission into the universities yearly, and the
figure keeps increasing. By the enabling law establishing JAMB as today amended,
entry examinations for all tertiary institutions in the country fall under the purview
of JAMB. Tertiary institutions comprise universities, polytechnics, monotechnics and
colleges of education, whether federal, state or privately owned.
JAMB examination was previously called University Matriculation Examination (UME)
when it was conducted for only candidates seeking admission into the university;
but with the sphere of influence now broadened to encompass all other tertiary
institutions, the examination is now modified and called Unified Tertiary
Matriculation Examination (UTME). The number of JAMB-accredited tertiary
institutions is approximately 400, and all candidates seeking admission into any of
them will compulsorily sit for the UTME. It is also common knowledge that

candidates from some other African countries come to seek admission into Nigerian
universities through JAMB.
Naturally, the dramatic increase in the number of applicants for admission posed a
huge challenge to the organizers of the examination at a time; and one factor
militating against the aims and objectives of the UTME was the scourge of
examination misconduct which, over time, assumed a worrisome dimension. All
forms of examination malpractices, which included possession of textbooks or other
material, spying and copying from other candidates, use of mobile phones, etc.,
were recorded. In extreme cases, parents, teachers and even examination officials
were involved either directly by giving aid, or in setting up Special Centres where
cheating went on without restraint. Candidates who could afford it were known to
pay upwards of 50,000 naira, with gratitude, for a place at the Special Centres, for it
was a sure way to scale the JAMB hurdle, with or without preparation.
The credibility of the process was therefore eroded and the purpose for which the
body was set up appeared defeated. Ultimately, the loss of confidence in the
system as a true test of merit led to the introduction of the post-UTME test some
years ago by some tertiary institutions. Although well-intentioned, the post-UTME
test not only constitutes another level of stress for the candidates, but has also
been bitten by the same bug it came to eradicate. Reports have been made of
brazen corruption, extortion and sexual exploitation of female candidates in
exchange for admission, perpetrated by officials of these institutions.
Over the past few years, however, JAMB has embarked on a gradual phase-out of
the Paper-Based Test (PBT) believed to be characterized by irregularities. In its
place, the Computer-Based Test (CBT) has been introduced in keeping with
technological trends, and as a measure against the high incidence of exam
malpractices. Observers say the measure has to a large extent succeeded in
restoring sanity to the system, which then leaves a question mark over the
continued relevance of the post-UTME test.
In the suit filed by LEDAP, the group seeks, among other things, a declaration that
only JAMB has the statutory powers to conduct matriculation examination for
admission into all universities, polytechnics and colleges of education; and that the
imposition and conduct of post-UTME by the institutions is illegal and unlawful.
No date has yet been fixed for hearing, but the next UTME is expected to hold
between February and March this year.