VC Defends Post UTME Tests, Says They Are Relevant

Prof. Adebayo Adeyemi, the Vice Chancellor, the Bells University of Technology, Ota in Ogun State, says that the post-University Matriculation Tertiary Examination (UTME) tests are relevant.

Adeyemi said this in Ota on Wednesday, at a news conference organised ahead of the institution’s 3rd convocation ceremony from 1 to 5 November.

The vice chancellor alleged that many students obtained high scores from the UTME through fraudulent means.

According to him, the universities can no longer absolutely rely on the UTME scores presented by the students due to alleged malpractices that often characterised the examinations.

He cited instances where students had been admitted in some universities based on high UTME scores, but had to be advised to withdraw due to inability of the students to cope with academic standards.

Adeyemi argued that each university should be allowed to conduct a post-UTME tests to be able to have an independent assessment of the students to be admitted. He also explained that such tests would offer the institution the opportunity to interact with the intending students and instil some of the virtues of the institution in them.

While admitting that the exercise was not full proof, he argued that it would serve as a measure to refine the students.

Adeyemi noted that if Nigerian universities must produce graduates of world standard, then the admission process into the institutions must be thorough.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Senate in the National Assembly had directed its Committee on Education to review and suggest whether or not the post-UTME tests should be conducted before admissions.

Adeyemi cautioned that the Senate should not take a unilateral decision on the issue, describing it as sensitive.

Meanwhile, the vice chancellor said that 19 out of the 251 graduating students obtained first class honours degree in various courses.

He said that 91 students obtained Second Class Upper, 105 had Second Class Lower Division while 37 obtained Third Class Honours degree.

According to him, the convocation lecture will be delivered by Prof. Tekena Tamuno.