2022 UTME witness improved technical, operational support in Lagos

The 2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted at the weekend witnessed improved technical and operational support in some parts of Lagos State, compared to cases of hiccups recorded in 2021.

Last year, the examination was marred by large-scale technical hitches and operational challenges, but the case was different this year as some of the centres, especially Yaba area had a smooth sail.

At the University of Lagos (UNILAG), findings revealed that the JAMB CBT centre had excess computer systems for the exercise, with the three sessions scheduled for yesterday, holding without any serious challenges.

The Administrator for the CBT centre, Dr. Florence Oladeji, said the institution has extensive experience in computer-based exams, which has really helped in ensuring no hitch in their network. 

“JAMB needs 275 systems, but we have more than 500 computers. So the capacity is more than enough for the exam,” she said.

According to her, there have been no cases of exam malpractice and only one student has missed her paper. 

At the Yaba College of Technology centre, The Guardian sighted security operatives in the premises, as the candidates queue to access the computer centre.

The first session was held between 8:00am and 10:00am, second session – 10.30am to 12.30pm, while the third session started at 1:30pm and ended at 3:30pm. 

One of the candidates, Miss Precious Dogo, expressed optimism about her performance, noting that the exercise was conducted in a conducive environment. 

She, however, revealed that some of her colleagues had issues with their computers, which the supervisors and invigilators were able to resolve.

Another candidate, Oluchi Okafor, who disclosed she had a hitch-free exam, said a boy beside her experienced a little challenge before the officials intervened. According to her, the exam was fine, as she finished her papers 25 minutes ahead of time.

Two other students, Taiwo Koledoye and Martin Yoro also expressed joy, as they didn’t have any issue with the computer systems.

The Resident Monitor, Adeola Ogundeji, noted that one area of concern that must still be the focus of stakeholders is the area of computer literacy. 

“We ended up teaching them how to operate it. They are supposed to have learned this before coming for the exam. They have been informed that they are going to have a CBT exam, so they should have learned how to operate a computer,” she said.

Ogundeji said though this may not be a big concern because those affected by the issue at the centre were less than 20 per cent, she, however, pointed out that since the commencement of the exam, no case of exam malpractice has been recorded at the centre.