A 94-year-old man, Pa Adedapo Idowu, is upbeat about securing placement at the Premier University of Ibadan (UI) to realise his lifelong dream of becoming a “political scientist.”
The nonagenarian, having resolved that age would not be a barrier in the way of actualisation of his dream, has taken bold steps to register for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Idowu, out of sheer perseverance and determination registered for the UTME at the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Professional Test Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State.
According to him, he wants to return to school to pursue his long time dream of studying Political Science at the University of Ibadan.
In an interview with newsmen, Idowu commended JAMB for the seamlessness of the ongoing registration process.
He noted that his registration experience has now dispelled his earlier fears, which he had secretly nursed on the possibility of his ever attaining his dream of tertiary education at his advanced age.
He also commended JAMB for the deployment of relevant technology that made the process so user-friendly, especially the board’s integration of his National identity Number (NIN) to aid his data collection and the absence of discrimination against the old, the under-privileged and people with disabilities.
“The staff also gave me a sense of belonging; through the warm reception at the registration venue,” he said.
The nonagenarian also enjoined the board to ensure the current path is maintained to ensure continuous success in delivering its mandate.
He stated that his interaction with the board had instilled in him the required confidence to go into the examination for ultimate success.
Idowu offered words of wisdom to fellow candidates, emphasising the vital role of professionalism and contentment in navigating life’s challenges.
He urged them to reject examination malpractices and instead focus on fair and honest pursuits.
He stated that his interaction with the board had instilled in him the required confidence to go into the examination for ultimate success.
He also reminded everyone of the imperative of not giving up on their dreams regardless of how old they are or the difficulties life may present.
Meanwhile, the registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Is-haq Oloyede, has expressed his satisfaction with the ongoing registration process for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
He attributed the significant success of the exercise to the dedication, competence, and commitment of JAMB staff across the nation.
The registrar noted that this year’s registration had been progressing more smoothly than in previous years.
He also commended the security personnel for their tireless efforts in ensuring an orderly and successful registration process.
“I am proud of the Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres, the staff, and everyone involved in the registration process. I believe this exercise is better by far,” he stated.
“This success is closely linked to our dedicated and determined staffers, who are aware that we do not settle for anything less than excellence. I believe they have all performed exceptionally well,” he added.
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In discussions with journalists, many candidates echoed the registrar’s positive assessment, praising the user-friendly nature of the registration process. Their feedback reflects a collective appreciation for the improvements made in this year’s UTME registration.
JAMB has however warned Computer-Based Test Centres to adhere strictly to the rules governing the registration exercise.
He particularly warned that UTME registration is not a group or school-based affair as the practice is capable of generating such unsavoury situations as data mixing, mutilation and mismatch stating that it would not hesitate to suspend any centre that contravene this stipulation adding that some centres engaging in sundry sharp practices are under investigation and if found culpable, their approval would be withdrawn.
The Board stressed that only candidates, whose biometrics verification is successful on the examination day, would be permitted to sit the Mock-UTME or UTME. In addition, the Board stressed that no parent or proxy is allowed to make any transaction on candidates profiles or interfere with the registration to avoid alterations and data mismatch.
To curtail registration infractions, the Board reiterated the readiness of its surveillance mechanisms to track down recalcitrant operators noting that a seamless registration exercise is a sine qua non for a successful examination
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