The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has clarified circumstances surrounding an alleged case of hijab discrimination at the Esther Oshikoya CBT Centre in Ibadan, stressing that the incident was an isolated breach promptly addressed by the Board.
JAMB, in a statement by its Spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin, on Thursday, said it became aware of the development during its routine monitoring of the ongoing 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, particularly during the screening of candidates for the first session.
The Board disclosed that it immediately intervened upon detecting the issue, summoning the ad hoc official involved and directing that no candidate wearing a hijab should be compelled to remove or alter it under any circumstance.
According to the statement the action was not sanctioned by JAMB and does not reflect its official screening guidelines.
“The Board wishes to state clearly that this act was neither perpetrated by the centre nor part of its official protocol.
Rather, it was the action of an overzealous ad hoc staff member who failed to adhere to the Board’s established guidelines regarding candidates’ religious attire,” the statement read.
JAMB emphasized that respect for religious freedom remains a core component of its examination procedures, assuring candidates and the public that such incidents are taken seriously and addressed without delay.
“The Board categorically affirms that such actions are not in line with its screening procedures. We respect the religious beliefs and customs of all Nigerians and have addressed the situation promptly and appropriately,” it stated.
While reassuring candidates across the country, the Board reiterated that no form of discrimination would be tolerated in any of its examination centres.
“We assure all candidates, regardless of faith, that their rights to religious expression, including dressing, remain a cornerstone of our policy,” JAMB added.
The examination body further disclosed that all ad hoc personnel involved in the ongoing UTME have been re-briefed and reminded of the approved screening procedures to prevent a recurrence.
“For the avoidance of doubt, all ad hoc staff have been further briefed and reminded of the approved procedures for screening candidates at all centres,” the statement read.