Accredited officials at the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, have faced sanctions for preventing a female UTME candidate wearing a hijab from entering the exam hall.
In a statement released by JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin, the exam body clarified that there is no policy prohibiting candidates from wearing religious attire.
Responding to reports titled ‘Re: Lagos Centre Stops Hijab-Wearing Candidates as UTME Commences,’ the statement confirmed that the issue was promptly resolved, allowing the candidate to proceed with the UTME while wearing her hijab.
JAMB emphasized that the officials involved were acting out of ignorance, which is not an acceptable excuse when it comes to the law.
The statement also noted that around 1.2 million candidates were expected to have taken the UTME by Monday, April 22, 2024.
“It is important to highlight that the board, as a national institution, does not have any rules against candidates expressing their religious beliefs through attire, as these customs are part of everyday life in Nigeria and should be well-understood by all,” the statement concluded.