Speaking during a Sunday sermon in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the cleric argued that the current admission process places excessive pressure on students and has become outdated in today’s education system.

He questioned the relevance of UTME, noting that candidates are required to pass through multiple stages of assessment, including WAEC, JAMB, post-UTME, and varying institutional cut-off marks, which he described as unnecessarily stressful and discouraging.

According to him, the system forces students who fail to meet admission requirements to wait another year and repeat the entire process, which he said adds to frustration among young people seeking higher education.

The cleric further argued that the examination body has lost relevance, pointing out that universities still conduct additional screenings even after UTME, making the process redundant in his view.

He also raised concerns about the early morning scheduling of examinations, particularly sessions set for around 6:30 a.m., stating that it exposes candidates to safety risks and financial strain, especially those who must travel long distances and lodge near examination centres.

He explained that some families are forced to spend extra money on accommodation for candidates due to the timing and location of exam centres, which he said increases the financial burden on parents and sponsors.

He also criticised the practice of posting candidates to faraway centres, arguing that it worsens security concerns, especially in light of reported incidents involving student safety in some parts of the country.

Comparing Nigeria’s system with admission processes abroad, he stated that many foreign universities offer direct admission based on academic results without requiring a centralised entrance examination like UTME.

He concluded by insisting that the current system needs urgent reform, describing it as overly complex and no longer suitable for students.