JAMB says no candidate should be asked to remove a hijab — and insists a reported Ibadan incident was never part of its exam rules.
Abuja, April 16, 2026 — The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has dismissed claims of hijab discrimination at the Esther Oshikoya CBT Centre in Ibadan, saying the incident did not reflect its official examination policy.
JAMB’s Public Communication Adviser, Fabian Benjamin, said in a statement that the board stepped in immediately after spotting the issue during monitoring of the UTME screening exercise.
He explained that the affected ad hoc staff member was “called to order” and reminded that no candidate should be forced to remove or alter religious attire, including the hijab.
According to him, the incident was not authorised by JAMB or the CBT centre, but rather the action of an overzealous official who ignored established guidelines.
Benjamin stressed that the board respects all religious beliefs and has zero tolerance for practices that infringe on candidates’ rights.
“All ad hoc personnel have been re-briefed on proper screening procedures,” he said, adding that the UTME process remains fair, inclusive and fully protected for all candidates.
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