By DAYO ADESULU
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has addressed a case of alleged hijab discrimination that occurred at the Esther Oshikoya CBT Centre during the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The incident, which took place on Thursday, April 16, during the first session of the examination day, triggered immediate intervention from the examination body after it was detected through its monitoring systems.
According to JAMB, a female candidate wearing a hijab was reportedly asked to remove or alter her religious attire during the screening process—an action the Board described as unacceptable and contrary to its official guidelines.
Focus Key Phrase: JAMB Hijab Discrimination
Board Distances CBT Centre from Incident
In a statement signed by JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, the Board clarified that the Esther Oshikoya CBT Centre was not responsible for the act.
Instead, JAMB identified the incident as the action of an “overzealous” ad hoc staff member who failed to comply with established procedures guiding candidates’ conduct and screening.
“The act was neither perpetrated by the centre nor part of its official protocol,” the statement noted, emphasizing that the centre itself followed standard procedures.
This clarification appears aimed at protecting the integrity of accredited CBT centres while isolating responsibility to individual misconduct.
Immediate Sanctions and Reinforcement of Guidelines
JAMB Moves to Prevent Recurrence
Following the discovery, JAMB said it immediately summoned the official involved and issued firm directives reinforcing its position on religious freedom.
The Board reiterated that no candidate wearing a hijab—or any approved religious attire—should be compelled to remove or modify it under any circumstances.
Furthermore, JAMB disclosed that all ad hoc personnel across examination centres nationwide have been re-briefed on proper screening procedures. This move, officials say, is to ensure uniform compliance and prevent a repeat of similar incidents.
The swift response signals JAMB’s determination to maintain fairness and professionalism throughout the examination process.
Religious Rights Remain Central to JAMB Policy
Assurance to Candidates Nationwide
Addressing growing concerns among candidates and parents, JAMB reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights of all Nigerians, regardless of religious affiliation.
The Board stressed that freedom of religious expression—including dress—is a fundamental component of its operational policy.
“We assure all candidates, regardless of faith, that their rights to religious expression, including dressing, remain a cornerstone of our policy,” the statement read.
This assurance comes at a time when issues surrounding religious sensitivity in public institutions continue to attract national attention.
Public Reaction and Broader Implications
The JAMB hijab discrimination case has sparked conversations on social media, with many Nigerians calling for stricter oversight of temporary staff engaged during national examinations.
While some commended JAMB for its quick intervention, others urged the Board to implement stronger monitoring mechanisms to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Education stakeholders also emphasize that incidents like this, even when isolated, can undermine public trust in critical national institutions.
Strengthening Oversight in Nigeria’s Examination System
Analysts say the development highlights the challenges associated with managing large-scale examinations like the UTME, which rely heavily on ad hoc staff deployed nationwide.
Although JAMB has invested in technology-driven monitoring systems, the human factor remains a critical variable.
By taking swift disciplinary action and reinforcing guidelines, the Board appears keen to send a clear message: violations of candidates’ rights will not be tolerated.
Conclusion
The JAMB hijab discrimination incident at the Esther Oshikoya CBT Centre in Ibadan has once again placed the spotlight on the importance of upholding candidates’ rights during national examinations.
While the Board has acted decisively to address the issue, the situation underscores the need for continuous training, supervision, and accountability among examination personnel.
As the UTME continues nationwide, all eyes remain on JAMB to ensure that fairness, inclusivity, and respect for diversity are upheld across every centre.
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