The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has attributed an incident involving the alleged restriction of hijab-wearing candidates at a CBT centre in Ibadan, Oyo State, to the actions of an ad hoc staff member.
The board explained that it intervened promptly after being informed of the issue at the Esther Oshikoya CBT Centre during the first session of the examination on Thursday, April 16.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, JAMB stated that it had instructed that no candidate wearing a hijab should be required to remove or alter it.
The statement clarified that this was not part of its official procedure but rather the decision of an “overzealous” ad hoc staff member who did not follow the established guidelines.
“The Board promptly intervened by calling the ad hoc official involved to order and issuing immediate instructions that no candidate wearing a hijab should be asked to remove or alter it.
“The Board wishes to state clearly that this act was neither perpetrated by the centre nor part of its official protocol.
“Rather, it was the action of an overzealous ad hoc staff member who failed to adhere to the Board’s established guidelines regarding candidates’ religious attire,” the statement read.
JAMB affirmed its respect for the religious beliefs of all candidates, emphasizing that no candidate should face discrimination based on faith or attire.
“We assure all candidates, regardless of faith, that their rights to religious expression including dressing remain a cornerstone of our policy,” JAMB added.
The board further stated that all ad hoc staff have been briefed once again on the correct screening procedures ahead of the ongoing examinations.
It reassured candidates that their rights to religious expression, including dressing, are safeguarded under its policies.
The controversy followed the circulation of a video showing a female candidate being delayed at a CBT centre during the ongoing UTME screening process, where she was asked to remove her hijab before entry, raising concerns of potential discrimination.
JAMB conducts nationwide examinations through accredited computer-based test centres, where ad hoc staff are deployed to oversee screening and examination procedures.
Similar issues have previously arisen over the interpretation of dress and identification rules at examination centres.
