MPAC Demands Sanctions Over Alleged Hijab Discrimination at Ibadan UTME Centre
The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) in Nigeria has issued a strong call for sanctions against the management of Esther Oshikoya CBT Centre in Ibadan, following allegations of discrimination against Muslim female candidates during the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). In a statement released on Thursday, the group condemned what it described as harassment, humiliation, and religious discrimination targeting candidates who wore hijabs to the examination venue.
Incident Details and MPAC's Response
According to MPAC, reports surfaced on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, earlier in the day, detailing an incident where some female candidates, particularly one identified as Miss Fatimah Salaudeen, were allegedly compelled to remove their hijabs before being allowed entry into the examination hall. The organisation asserted that such actions are unlawful and directly contravene the guidelines set by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), which permit candidates to sit for examinations in modest religious attire, including hijabs, subject to standard security checks.
In the statement signed by its Executive Chairman, Disu Kamor, MPAC emphasised that no candidate should be denied access to an examination based on their religious identity. The group highlighted that this development caused significant distress to young candidates at a critical stage of their academic pursuits, arguing that students who have diligently prepared for the UTME should not face embarrassment or exclusion due to their faith or manner of dressing.
JAMB's Intervention and Ongoing Concerns
MPAC acknowledged the swift intervention of JAMB officials, security agencies, and other stakeholders, noting that their response helped restore calm and enabled affected candidates to proceed with their examinations. However, the organisation stressed that allowing the candidates to eventually sit for the exam does not erase the alleged violations they suffered. MPAC urged the JAMB Registrar to order an immediate investigation into the incident and make the findings public.
Furthermore, the group called on JAMB to sanction the CBT centre and any personnel found responsible for the alleged discrimination and harassment. MPAC also requested that JAMB publicly reaffirm its policy on religious attire, including hijabs, during examinations to prevent similar incidents at centres nationwide. The organisation advocated for stronger monitoring and enforcement measures across all accredited CBT centres to ensure compliance throughout the UTME exercise.
Constitutional and Legal Implications
MPAC argued that this matter should not be treated as a minor operational problem, as it raises serious concerns about accountability and respect for constitutional rights. The organisation pointed out that Nigeria's Constitution guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, and no student should be forced to choose between education and faith. "As the UTME continues nationwide, JAMB must act swiftly to restore confidence and ensure all centres operate within the law, fairness, and respect for fundamental human rights," the statement concluded.
The UTME is an annual entrance examination conducted by JAMB for admission into tertiary institutions across Nigeria, with thousands of candidates participating in this year's exercise. As of the time of reporting, there has been no official response from JAMB or the management of Esther Oshikoya CBT Centre regarding the allegations.
