Teenage Girl Sues JAMB Over Hijab Ban During UTME in Ibadan.
A Muslim teenager’s fight for religious freedom is making headlines
after she was allegedly forced to remove her hijab at a UTME centre in Ibadan.
Now, she’s taking legal action and the nation is watching closely.
The Shocking Incident at PEFTI CBT Centre
Lawal Hameedat Adenike, a young girl who sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME),
has filed a lawsuit against the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the PEFTI CBT Centre in Ibadan.
According to her mother, Basirat Ojo, the teenager was asked to remove her hijab before she could be allowed into the exam hall at the
PEFTI centre located at 32 Oyo Road, Coca-Cola Area, Sango, Ibadan.
Her mother, visibly emotional, stated:
“It was a deeply humiliating experience for her.
She wears the hijab as an expression of her faith, and being forced to take it off before strangers is both traumatic and unconstitutional.”
Legal Action and Demands
Through her legal representative, Qousim Opakunle, the family has approached the Oyo State High Court with a lawsuit demanding:
A public apology from JAMB and PEFTI, to be published in two widely read newspapers.
Compensation for violating her fundamental rights.
A court declaration that any practice of forcing female candidates to remove the hijab is unconstitutional.
The legal team argues that this action breaches Section 38 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion and expression.
Not an Isolated Case: Similar Reports Nationwide
Sadly, Hameedat’s experience is not unique.
Several Muslim female candidates have reported similar treatment in various centres across Nigeria.
At Caleb University in Ikorodu, Lagos, Muslim girls were also allegedly ordered to remove their hijabs before being allowed to sit for the UTME.
This prompted widespread outrage among Muslim communities, with several organizations speaking out:
The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) issued a statement strongly condemning the harassment of hijab-wearing candidates at various centres.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) also called on JAMB and institutions like Caleb University to respect students’
religious rights and stop discriminatory practices.
JAMB Responds with Apology
Following the backlash, JAMB officially apologized to the affected candidates.
In a public statement, the board clarified that it has no policy banning religious attire such as the hijab during UTME exams.
JAMB blamed the incidents on the “overzealousness” of some security personnel and promised to investigate the matter thoroughly
while putting steps in place to ensure such abuse doesn’t happen again.
Constitutional and Educational Implications
This incident raises serious concerns about how Nigeria’s educational institutions are respecting constitutional freedoms, especially for students of faith.
The Nigerian Constitution, particularly Section 38, protects every citizen’s right to manifest their religion in teaching, practice, worship, and observance.
The hijab is not merely a cultural choice for many Muslim women it’s a religious obligation.
Denying a student the right to wear it is not just discriminatory; it’s unlawful.
Spotlight on PEFTI CBT Centre
The PEFTI CBT Centre, one of the approved UTME centres in Oyo State, now faces scrutiny for the role it played in this situation.
Examination centres like PEFTI are expected to provide a safe, respectful environment for all candidates.
It is now clear that many CBT centre staff may lack the training needed to handle sensitive religious or cultural matters appropriately.
What Civil Society and Religious Bodies Are Saying
Religious leaders and civil society groups have called on JAMB to do more than apologize.
They’re demanding policy reforms that protect students’ rights moving forward.
Some recommendations include:
Clear guidelines allowing religious attire during UTME exams.
Mandatory training for CBT centre staff on religious tolerance and students’ rights.
Swift disciplinary action against centres or staff that violate these guidelines.
Moving Forward: Time for Policy Reforms
As this lawsuit unfolds, it is an opportunity for JAMB and Nigeria’s education stakeholders to review and reform their policies to ensure inclusivity, fairness, and respect for all.
Clear communication and training are critical.
Examination centres must be explicitly instructed not to infringe on candidates’ rights, especially regarding religious clothing.
Moreover, the government must ensure that students regardless of faith are never put in a position where their educational ambitions are compromised due to their beliefs.
Why This Matters
Incidents like this do more than violate individual rights.
They send a dangerous message to students from minority or marginalized groups that they must choose between their education and their faith.
That is unacceptable in any democracy, especially one as diverse as Nigeria.
Conclusion
The case of Lawal Hameedat Adenike is more than a lawsuit it’s a statement.
It’s a brave stand against religious discrimination and a call to action for Nigeria to uphold the rights guaranteed by its own constitution.
As the legal proceedings continue, all eyes are on JAMB, the courts, and the Nigerian government.
Will they stand up for justice, or allow discriminatory practices to persist?
What’s your take on this issue?
Do you think JAMB should do more to protect religious rights during exams?
Share your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to share this article to raise awareness.
By: Yusuf Adebola
Date: May 9, 2025
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