An allegation that a female candidate was asked to remove her hijab before being allowed to sit for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) at a centre in Ibadan, Oyo State, has sparked widespread concern online.
The claim emerged after a video shared on X by a user identified as Alfa Shehu allegedly showed a candidate removing her hijab before entering the Esther Oshikoya Computer-Based Test Centre along Sango-Eleyele Road.
While the exact circumstances surrounding the footage remain unclear, the user alleged that female candidates wearing hijabs were instructed to remove them before gaining access to the examination hall.
He described the action as a violation of the candidates’ constitutional right to freedom of religion and contrary to the guidelines of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, which permit the use of hijab during examinations.
The allegation has not been independently verified, and JAMB had not issued an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
However, the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria said a security official at the centre had initially prevented a candidate from entering while wearing a hijab.
According to the group, the official has since been questioned, and the affected candidates were eventually allowed to sit for the examination.
“The situation at Esther Oshikoya CBT Centre is now under control. Officials from JAMB have arrived at the centre and have taken over the matter,” the group said in a statement.
The 2026 UTME commenced nationwide on Thursday, with more than two million candidates expected to participate in the examination.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
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