UNIBEN, Others Bow To FG Pressure, Abolish Post UTME Test

At last, the Federal Government of Nigeria prevails in its decision to abolish post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) test for candidates who scored 180 and above.

By Oladipo Airenakho

Benin City – Following Nigerian government’s directive, abolishing post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) test for candidates who scored 180 and above in their examinations into tertiary institutions, the University of Benin has suspended its ongoing selection test for prospective candidates.

Mr. Michael Osasuyi, the institution’s Public Relations Officer made the announcement while speaking to news reporters inside the school premise on Tuesday June 28, 2016.

“Management has just announced the suspension of the exercise following the federal government directive.

“We regret any inconveniences this may have caused parents and prospective students as a new date for the screening will be communicated in due course,” he said.

The institution was however silent on how it will resolve the issue of refund of N2000 each, paid by thousands of candidates who had wanted to gain admission into the University.

On the N2, 000 post UTME fees. Osasuyi said “no decision has been taken on that. But all Vice Chancellors of the universities have been invited to a meeting in Abuja.” I guess that will be part of the decision that will be taken,’’ he said.

On Monday the institution had in defiance of the federal government’s directive on the matter commenced screening of prospective undergraduates.

It was noted that while some of the prospective undergraduates had sat for the examination on Monday by writing a computer-based test others were already seated for the continuation of screening on Tuesday when the Federal Ministry of Education order was sent out to all tertiary institutions.

Some of the students who participated in the exercise were heard complaining they spent between N3, 500 and N5, 000 in the purchase of the admission screening forms including on-line registration.

They said they had to answer about 75 questions in the spate of an hour.

The exercise which commenced, out of compliance, on Monday would have ended July 9, 2016.