Should JAMB exams be restricted to school leavers only

By Vivian Deladem, Faith Adeosun, Precious Oloruntoba, Peace Oloruntoba, Joshua Babatunde & Precious Orunduyi
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Against the backdrop of the mass failure recorded in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, an Education expert, Mr Ike Onyechere has suggested that only candidates who have obtained five credits in WASSCE or NECO should be permitted to sit in future for the UTME. Weekend Hope speaks with individuals on the issue.
Excerpts:

I will say yes, that UTME should be restricted to school leavers, because it is assumed that by then, they would have completed training on all the syllabuses of the subjects to be taken by the students.

I will say that it should be limited to only SS3 students, because a lot of students out there who skip classes to sit for UTME are still affected in some areas of their education. This is because they have missed out on some basic knowledge they ought to have acquired at the secondary school level.

Restricting UTME participation to school leavers will help reduce exam malpractice. Older candidates may have more resources and connections that could aid in cheating, which compromises the integrity of the exam. By limiting participation to school leavers, we can minimise the risk of exam malpractice and ensure that the exam is conducted fairly.

Restricting UTME participation to school leavers is a good idea. It will help maintain the integrity of the exam and prevent older candidates from having an unfair advantage. School leavers are more likely to be familiar with the current curriculum and exam format, which will make the competition more evenly matched.

I believe it should not be. I remember back in school when some people had to sit for the exam in SS2 due to various reasons. There were people who had opportunities, such as scholarships, at that point, and if they had waited until they left school, those opportunities would have been lost. I think the restrictions should only be on age; it is only appropriate that way.

I strongly disagree with the idea of restricting UTME participation to school leavers. Education is a lifelong process, and people should be encouraged to pursue higher education at any age. Restricting UTME participation to school leavers would stifle lifelong learning and prevent individuals from acquiring new skills and knowledge. UTME should be open to anyone who wishes to take the exam, regardless of age or background.

I believe you cannot compare their levels of preparedness for the exam and how well they are ready for university. It should be open to all; some SS2 students are more brilliant than SS3 students. If it is about age, some are even older. So, it should be open to all, in my opinion.
Also, some people have biases regarding the fact that they are young and not ready. Nobody is actually ready.
I believe they all should just give it a try; no one is fully prepared, when you look at it holistically. I think we should start trusting the younger generation to make decisions as well, with background knowledge of the implications of their decisions.
No student should be held back as long as he or she can meet the necessary requirements.

No way! I think education is for everyone, regardless of age. People should be able to pursue their dreams whenever they are ready. That is, it should be open to all. Some people take breaks before furthering their education. We should not limit their opportunities.
It should be about merit, not age. If you meet the criteria, you should be allowed to take it.
These voices highlight the importance of accessibility and merit-based admission in Nigeria’s education system.

No restrictions! Innovation and learning know no age limits. JAMB should welcome everyone. How I wish I had known about UTME earlier when I wanted to switch careers. It should not be limited to school leavers.
Merit-based admission is key. If candidates meet the requirements, age should not be a barrier.
It is about opportunity, not age. UTME should be accessible to all who qualify.
Education itself is lifelong. Restricting UTME to school leavers would deny many the chance to better themselves.

I disagree with the idea of restricting UTME participation to school leavers. What about candidates who may have had to drop out of school due to financial constraints or health issues?
They should not be denied the opportunity to pursue higher education simply because they are not school leavers. UTME should be open to anyone who wants to take the exam, regardless of age or background.

UTME should not be limited to school leavers; it should be generalised for applicants who intend to further their studies after several years away from school. Even those who have written it before and failed should be given the opportunity to re-sit, as it might be their turn to succeed.

In my opinion, UTME participation should not be limited to only school leavers. The reason is that we have many individuals who are not current school leavers. For instance, those who failed at their first sitting.
Therefore, limiting UTME participation to school leavers may dash the hopes of many who, though not fresh school leavers, still harbour the dream and aspiration to further their education.
However, there is a negative effect this could have. During the course of the examination, there may be an overwhelming number of candidates, which could impact the admission process in many universities.
Nevertheless, in order to help many students, not just school leavers to achieve their academic ambitions and various life goals, UTME participation should not be restricted to school leavers.