Last year, a female candidate with outstanding results applied to study Accounting at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, Osun State. She had distinctions in six subjects in her Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and scored 284 in the JAMB exam. This impressive combination led to her being invited for the post-UTME test at OAU.

During the interaction, the panel was initially impressed with her results. However, a simple question from a curious panel member caused her to fidget. Despite giving her time to relax, she failed the session and later admitted that someone else had taken the exams for her.

In other cases, prospective students have died in car accidents on their way to screening exercises, while others have been left with permanent disabilities. These tragic incidents have fueled the debate on whether post-UTME should continue.

The Federal Government, under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, introduced the post-UTME policy in 2005, requiring tertiary institutions to screen candidates after JAMB results. In 2016, then-Education Minister Adamu Adamu ordered the cessation of post-UTME, arguing that JAMB's examinations were sufficient.

Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) protested this decision, warning that it endangered the quality of education and undermined the autonomy of university senates, the highest academic policy-making bodies.

By August of the following year, the Federal Government reversed the decision, allowing post-UTME to resume. Adamu urged institutions to keep post-UTME fees affordable to ease the financial burden on parents and students.

Some stakeholders, under the NGO Education Without Barrier, opposed post-UTME, arguing it imposed financial and logistical burdens on students. They suggested alternative methods for assessing admission seekers instead of additional exams.

The group, led by education consultant Dr. Ikeoluwa Ademidun, argued that JAMB's innovations had reduced exam malpractice and built trust among parents and guardians. They contended that universities should not require another exam after JAMB's.

Other academics and administrators also criticized post-UTME as exploitative, with universities using it to generate revenue. They viewed the dual examination system as unfair and redundant.

Mrs. Oluwakemi Ogunade, a school proprietor, argued there was no need for post-UTME, as JAMB's results should suffice for university admissions. She highlighted the financial strain on parents due to additional testing costs.

Public analyst Peter Nodim defended JAMB's measures to ensure result authenticity, noting its revolutionary Computer-Based Tests (CBT) system. He emphasized the need for patience to allow such innovations to prove effective.

Prof. Ken Oguama of Benue State University acknowledged past issues with JAMB but noted the body had made significant improvements over the years to enhance the reliability of its exams.

Education consultant Louis Adams deemed post-UTME unnecessary in a modern educational system. He cited the example of Ghana, where students gain admission to universities based on their SSCE results without additional exams.

Adams suggested that universities should conduct concessional entrance exams, similar to practices in Europe and other parts of the world. He argued that admission processes should be streamlined and less burdensome.

However, some educators and administrators believe that two examinations are necessary to filter out unqualified candidates. They argued that discontinuing post-UTME would allow unsuitable candidates to slip through the admissions process.

Prof. Grace Essien, an advocate for post-UTME, emphasized its importance for ensuring high-quality students. She urged the government to address any issues universities face with the process rather than eliminating it.

Dr. Ken Amaeshi, an education consultant, highlighted that post-UTME allowed brilliant but disadvantaged students to gain admission based on merit. He noted that post-UTME offered a fair chance to students who didn't engage in exam malpractice.

Amaeshi also pointed out that post-UTME helps students identify their strengths and capabilities, guiding them towards suitable educational paths. He called for improved infrastructure in public universities to accommodate more students.

Prof. Usman Adamu of the University of Maiduguri warned that eliminating post-UTME could overwhelm public institutions with a flood of applicants, making it challenging to select the best candidates.

Overall, the debate on the necessity and impact of post-UTME continues, with strong arguments on both sides regarding its role in Nigerian tertiary education.