Reports that a female candidate was instructed to take off her hijab prior to sitting for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Ibadan, Oyo State, have caused significant worry across the country.
The incident reportedly took place at the Esther Oshikoya Computer-Based Test Centre on Sango-Eleyele Road, according to video footage circulating on X.
While the clip shows a young woman removing her headscarf before entering the testing area, the specific reasons for this requirement are not yet fully understood.
The individual who uploaded the video claimed that Muslim candidates were being forced to uncover their heads as a condition for entry.
“This is a direct violation of the candidates’ constitutional right to freedom of religion and JAMB’s own guidelines that permit hijab during examinations,” the user stated in the post.
These allegations have not been independently confirmed, and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has not yet provided a formal response to the situation.
See video below:
