A teenager, Lawal Hameedat Adenike, has filed a lawsuit against the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and PEFTI over allegations that she was forced to remove her hijab before taking the University Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The case was filed on her behalf by her mother and lawyer.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Friday, Basirat Ojo, Lawal’s mother, recounted the incident that occurred on 25 April 2025 at the PEFTI CBT Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State.
She explained, “My daughter was told she could not write the exam unless she removed her hijab, which she wears for religious reasons. This was a painful and humiliating experience for her. As her mother, I had to take action to protect her rights.”
The lawsuit seeks a court declaration that any rule requiring the removal of hijabs by female candidates is unconstitutional, as it “violates Section 38 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion,” according to Qousim Opakunle, Lawal’s lawyer.
“It is our duty to protect these fundamental rights, especially for minors who cannot defend themselves.” The suit also demands a public apology and compensation for the violation of Lawal’s rights.
