The General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries, Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, has called for the scrapping of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), describing the process as outdated and stressful for Nigerian students.
He made the call during a sermon on Sunday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Why he wants UTME scrapped
Chinyere questioned the relevance of the examination, arguing that multiple layers of screening have made the admission process unnecessarily difficult.
“In Nigeria, you will write WAEC; after WAEC, you will write JAMB; after JAMB, you will write post-UTME… If you don’t meet it, you wait another year and start afresh. It is very frustrating,” he said.
He added that universities still conduct their own screening after UTME, making the central exam less meaningful.
“JAMB has lost its relevance because universities still organise their own entrance examinations,” he stated.
Concerns over safety and cost
The cleric also criticised the early scheduling of the exams, particularly 6:30 a.m. sittings, which he said expose candidates to risks.
He explained that many students are forced to travel long distances and lodge near their centres to meet the schedule, increasing financial pressure on families.
“For all my adopted children under OPM scholarships going for JAMB, I have to give them extra money to pay for hotels,” he said.
He further faulted the practice of posting candidates to centres far from their homes, noting that it heightens insecurity concerns.
Reference to recent incident
Chinyere cited reports of UTME candidates being abducted in Benue State, describing the development as unfortunate.
“I saw something on social media that people who went to write JAMB in Benue were kidnapped. It is really very unfortunate,” he said.
Comparison with foreign systems
Drawing comparisons, the cleric said many countries operate more flexible admission systems without a single central examination like UTME.
“If you want to get admission into universities outside Nigeria, you don’t need JAMB. You apply directly and get an offer,” he explained.
His comments have added to ongoing debates about Nigeria’s admission process and the challenges faced by prospective university students.
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