UTME row: Hijab-wearing candidate barred, Muslim stakeholders kick

Tension flared during the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) as female hijab-wearing candidates were reportedly denied entry into an examination centre, triggering outrage among Muslim stakeholders.

Muslim parents, students, guardians, and stakeholders across Nigeria have kicked against the denial of access to a female candidate because of she was wearing a hijab in the computer-based test (CBT) centre in Ibadan.

The stakeholders in an open protest letter to Is-haq Oloyede, the registrar/chief executive officer at JAMB, expressed their deep pain and righteous indignation over the incidents, sparking debate over candidates’ rights, dress codes, and the consistency of guidelines governing the conduct of the nationwide test.

“Recent incidents at several JAMB computer-based test centres during the 2026 UTME have exposed a disturbing pattern of harassment, intimidation, and outright denial of access to Muslim female candidates simply because they wear the hijab,” the letter read in part.

According to the letter, “Eyewitness accounts and viral videos from centres such as Esther Oshikoya CBT centre in Ibadan, Oyo State, Peter Harvard Schools in Kubwa, Abuja, and others confirm that ad-hoc staff and security personnel have forced hijab-wearing candidates to remove their hijabs or barred them from entering the examination halls.

“Some candidates were turned back entirely, denying them their right to sit for this critical national examination. This is not an isolated oversight; it is a blatant act of religious discrimination that has caused emotional trauma, wasted preparation time, and threatened the future of these young Nigerian girls.”

In addition, the Muslim stakeholders emphasised that the hijab is not a fashion accessory or a security risk.

“It is a fundamental religious obligation for Muslim women, and the Supreme Court of Nigeria has unequivocally affirmed this right. In its landmark judgment of June 17, 2022, in the case of Lagos State government & Ors v. Asiyat AbdulKareem (Suit No. SC/910/16), the apex court upheld the constitutional right of Muslim female students to wear the hijab in public institutions.

“The court declared the ban on hijab discriminatory and a violation of Sections 38 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which guarantee freedom of religion, thought, conscience, and freedom from discrimination. This ruling binds all agencies of government, including JAMB, and applies to national examinations just as it does to schools,” they said.

However, they explained that despite registrar’s office’s public statements condemning such discrimination and promising zero tolerance, these violations persist.

JAMB’s own guidelines and Oloyede’s repeated assurances of fairness and inclusivity, they noted, have been openly defied by some CBT centre operators and their personnel.

This, they said, amounts to contempt of the Supreme Court’s judgment and a direct assault on the secular and equitable principles upon which JAMB was established.

“We therefore demand, without further delay, the following immediate and decisive actions: Suspension of all erring CBT centres. Any centre found to have harassed, forced the removal of hijabs, or denied entry to Muslim female candidates must be immediately suspended from conducting JAMB examinations. No further UTME or related tests should be allowed at such centres until full compliance is verified and sanctioned officials are removed.

“Prosecution of involved officers and ad-hoc staff. All security personnel, invigilators, and centre officials implicated in these acts of harassment and discrimination must be identified, arrested, and prosecuted to the full extent of the law for violating the constitutional rights of Nigerian citizens.”

In addition, they said, “Legal accountability for JAMB, we hereby put you and the board on notice that failure to act swiftly will leave us with no option but to institute legal proceedings against JAMB and the specific officers concerned for contempt of the Supreme Court judgment, breach of fundamental rights, and discrimination. We will seek appropriate damages and injunctive relief in competent courts.

“Immediate redress for affected candidates. All Muslim female candidates who were denied entry or forced to compromise their faith must be given a fresh, unhindered opportunity to sit for the examination at no extra cost, with full logistical support from JAMB.”

The Muslim community called on Oloyede not to allow this sacred mandate to be undermined by religious bigotry at the operational level.

“Nigeria is a multi-religious nation, and JAMB must remain a symbol of equal opportunity for all citizens, irrespective of faith.

“We expect your public response and concrete action within 48 hours of receipt of this letter. The eyes of the nation, especially the Muslim community, are on you. Failure to act will only deepen distrust and force us to escalate this matter through every lawful means available, including mass protests and litigation,” they said.