JAMB Intervenes after hijab controversy rocks exam centre in Oyo

There was tension on Thursday morning at the Esther Oshikoya CBT Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State, during the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) organized by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

Some female candidates wearing hijabs were reportedly stopped from entering the exam hall or asked to remove their head coverings before they could take the test.

A man named Shehu Abdul-Salam Alododo shared the issue on Facebook, calling it a violation of the candidates’ rights.

He said the action went against the constitutional right to freedom of religion and JAMB’s rules, which allow candidates to wear hijabs during exams.

He urged JAMB officials, the Oyo State office, and Muslim organizations to quickly step in and resolve the issue.

He also stressed that no student should have to choose between their religion and their education.

Later, another user, Awujoola Olalekan Abdulbasit, gave an update saying the situation had been brought under control.

According to him, JAMB officials arrived at the centre and took over the matter. Steps were being taken to resolve the issue, and people were asked to remain calm.

As of the time of this report, JAMB had not released an official statement about the incident.