JAMB Sanctions Official for Hijab Removal Order During UTME Exam

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has taken swift action against an official who directed a female candidate to remove her hijab before entering the examination hall during the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

This incident, which occurred at a Lagos center, has sparked controversy among religious communities.

In response to the incident, JAMB expressed regret and emphasized that such action was not in line with its examination guidelines.

The board has sanctioned the official in question to serve as a deterrent against future incidents of this nature.

JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, clarified that the incident was a result of a “misplaced priority” by some of the board’s accredited partners or officials who were unaware of the guidelines on accreditation, which allow only female officials to screen female candidates.

Despite this unfortunate occurrence, the 2024 UTME has been described as seamless, with over 1.2 million candidates successfully completing their exams by today.

JAMB has reiterated its commitment to ensuring a fair and inclusive examination process for all candidates, regardless of their religious beliefs or practices.

As the examination process continues, JAMB has assured the public that it will take all necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, emphasizing the importance of respect for religious freedom and adherence to its guidelines.