2024 UTME: My Counsel for The Next Jambites

Abimbola Olulesi

Barring any unforeseen hitch, the 2024 UTME exams takes off, according to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) website, on Friday, April 19 and ends on Monday, April 29.

About 1.9 million candidates will be writing the UTME exams in over 700 CBT centres nationwide. The UTME is a compulsory Computer-Based Test (CBT) taken by all candidates seeking admission into Nigerian public and private tertiary institutions. More than 1.5 million candidates sit the test annually.

I had the privilege of writing JAMB exam (yes because some of my classmates passed on before the exam) in 1983 with a score of 277. Then it made the merit list for admission into the university (name withheld).

I therefore write to offer some words of counsel to all those who will be taking the UTME exams from April 19. I will concentrate more on what you need to know once you get the notification of your UTME result. The goal is to ensure that no student who meets the minimum score misses admission this year.

My first counsel to all JAMBITES is that you should put in your very best as you write the UTME. Please avoid any form of cheating or examination malpractice- remember, honesty is the best policy. It is better to fail honestly than to get a high UTME score dishonestly. Let’s start making Nigeria the best nation in the world, one UTME at a time.

When the UTME results are released, you have three options before you – you had a very high score (250 and above), an average score (140 to 249) and a low score (below 140). Depending on your first choice of university, even with a score of 140 you can still secure university admission. But your chances are very low if your score falls below 140. So, what are your chances with a score below 140 assuming you have the required ‘O’ Level five credits? My candid advice is that you opt for the JUPEB programme and Caleb University, Imota, Lagos will be a wise choice.

If your UTME score is between 140 and 249, you stand a fair chance of securing university admission depending on your first choice – federal, state or private. Most federal and state universities, due to the large number of UTME applicants peg their minimum UTME score at 200, though some may consider 180. 

A score of 250 and above should normally secure you admission into your first choice university – federal, state or private. 

Even at that, you still have to undergo post-UTME screening which comes in three variants.

The first variant relies only on the UTME score – only screening of candidates is done. Universities like Caleb University adopts this model because she believes squarely in the integrity of the UTME especially with the dynamic and visionary interventions since Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the Registrar came on board.

The second variant is a combination of UTME score and a post UTME examination. This applies to mostly state and federal universities but you need to confirm if this also applies if your first choice is a private university. In this variant, the UTME score forms 50 per cent,  while your score in the post UTME makes up the remaining 50 per cent. The average score is then used for processing of admission.

The third variant which applies to first generation universities like Obafemi Awolowo University includes UTME score, post UTME screening score and SSCE result score. Each element is given a percentage and the average is then computed for granting of provisional admission.

My counsel to you, dear JAMBITE is that you should confirm the variant that will be used by your first choice university. Once confirmed, study diligently so that you will obtain the required score to gain admission.

However, if you have done your very best and you did not meet the cut-off mark for admission into your first choice of university, particularly federal and state universities, I advice you to consider applying to a reputable private university like Caleb University, Lagos. And financing? There are many organisations and corporate bodies that you can approach for scholarship. Don’t sit back on the excuse that you cannot afford a private university education. Fortune favours the brave. 

I remember the story of a dear friend who wanted to be a pilot but came from a family that could not afford the huge cost of Pilot Training School. But like Caleb of old, he believed that he was well able and went on to apply for admission. He got the admission and fortune favoured him as he struck a friendship while writing the exams with a friend who came from a wealthy family. This friendship got him a scholarship and today he is a licensed pilot earning in foreign currency.

Likewise, your dream of getting into the university in 2024 must be fulfilled. Rise up like the biblical Caleb and say I am well able. Hope to see you matriculating into the university of your choice. Accept my warm congratulations in advance.

Olulesi is the Director, Public Relations, Caleb University, Imota, Lagos