Preserving Integrity in the UTME Process: An In-depth Look at System Glitches and Result Manipulation

Preserving Integrity in the UTME Process: An In-depth Look at System Glitches and Result Manipulation

"The measure of a man's real character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out." - Thomas Babington Macaulay.

At the heart of every examination process, there's a silent pact of trust. This is no different in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) system, an experience shared by millions of Nigerian students, shaping their future, every year. Recent events have questioned this trust and brought to the fore the harsh reality of system glitches and result manipulation.

The incident involving Mmesoma Ejikeme, the 19-year-old UTME candidate accused of manipulating her results, could have been an isolated glitch, an anomaly in an otherwise well-oiled system. It's important to remember the words of Margaret Heffernan, "For good ideas and true innovation, you need human interaction, conflict, argument, debate." It is in this spirit we address the implications of this event and aim to provide insights and recommendations that can help us learn from these incidents.

Firstly, let's contextualize the scale of the challenge. Since JAMB launched the online result checking process in 2017, the number of registered candidates has shown a steady increase. Concurrently, the total number of general incidents and those related to result tampering or manipulation, while stable, have not decreased.

"In God we trust. All others must bring data." – W. Edwards Deming.

These stats tell us two things: The digitalization of the UTME process has expanded access, but it has also opened up avenues for manipulation and errors. Digital systems, like any other, are susceptible to errors, and considering the high-stakes environment in which JAMB operates, it is paramount that every step is taken to safeguard the integrity of the system.

Mmesoma's case should be a wake-up call for all stakeholders, from JAMB to school administrators, teachers, parents, and of course, the candidates themselves. Her statement following the incident revealed a tragic reality – the immense pressure from various quarters that led her to make a regrettable decision.

However, we should not let one mistake define the entire system. Instead, we should seize it as an opportunity to fortify our processes and protocols.

"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." - Albert Einstein.

In light of the current situation, JAMB might want to consider an alternative way of result delivery - perhaps through storing results in a PDF format and making them available to candidates through a secure online portal. This method would eliminate the need for constant database querying, which could potentially reduce instances of result tampering or manipulation.

It's time to strengthen our defenses, and not just through technology. Regular security updates, staff training, and educating candidates about the repercussions of tampering with the system are all crucial elements in ensuring the UTME's sanctity. After all, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world," as Nelson Mandela said.

At the end of the day, our goal is not just to prevent a repeat of Mmesoma's case, but to build an unshakeable trust in the system. We need to remember that the UTME process isn't just a pathway to tertiary education; it's a stepping stone to building a future.

In conclusion, as we go forward, we must carry with us the wisdom of Maya Angelou, "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." Let us learn, let us improve, and let us do better in preserving the integrity of the UTME process.

Thank you.

Aderogba Otunla