30th October, 2017
Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka has offered some insights into the recently conducted Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, test by the Institution.
He also promised that the 2017/18 admission process which can only accommodate 3,500 would be concluded soon.
Olayinka spoke on Monday on the institution’s community radio, Diamond 101.1 FM Radio, to mark the 9th anniversary of the station.
He said the results of the Post UTME are ready as all efforts are on deck to conclude the admission for prospective new intakes.
Contrary to insinuation in some quarters that the test was too tough and that science candidates were not allowed to use calculator which was allegedly responsible for failure of many, Prof. Olayinka stated that the highest score in the test was 86 from a medical candidate, while a candidate each from Law and Electrical and Electronic departments respectively equally posted impressive performance.
The VC disclosed that out of 20,949 candidates who sat for the examination, 9,266 candidates, representing 44.2 percent scored 50 and above.
He pointed out that not all candidates that sat for both JAMB and Post UTME were university candidates.
Olayinka urged the Federal Government to resuscitate technical schools for those who may not be able to cope with the pressure of university education, adding, “while federal universities which are the cheapest in the country are grappling with the overwhelming number of applicants, all the polytechnic institutions in Nigeria do not have up to 20,000 applicants.”
He promised that UI would be fair to every applicant in selecting the 3,500 that the system could accommodate, pointing out that “you don’t need to know anybody before being admitted once you meet all the requirements.
On his performance in office in the last 23 months, Prof. Olayinka thanked the university community for the support and understanding given so far.
He identified poor funding as being responsible for the initial crises bedevilling the university at the early stage of his administration.
“Now, the students and staff have come to understand that I am transparent enough to be trusted, because this regime has always been laying every card on the table. Crises have a way of de-marketing our reputation because we lose heavily in terms of stable academic calendar.
”Now, our Law graduates cannot go to Law School. This session is going to end around March next year. Whereas, we ought to have concluded the session before then. It is our prayer that we don’t experience strike again”.