JAMB Intervenes After Viral Video Shows Hijab Restriction at Ibadan Exam Centre; Board Reaffirms Right to Religious Attire and Warns Officials Against ‘Illegal’ Rules

The start of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) was met with a “Tsunami” of social media outrage today, April 16, after a viral clip surfaced from an Ibadan-based exam centre. The video showed a female candidate being delayed and asked to remove her hijab at the Esther Oshikoya CBT Centre along the Sango-Eleyele Road. The “Solution” to the brewing controversy came swiftly from JAMB headquarters, which disowned the action and labeled the official responsible as “overzealous.”

The “Drill or Drop” nature of exam day was already stressful for thousands of students, but for those in Ibadan, the “tinkering” with religious rights added a layer of unnecessary tension. JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, issued a statement late Thursday evening, clarifying that the board has “never issued any directive” prohibiting the hijab. He noted that while “Renewed Hope” for a smooth exam was the goal, the actions of a single ad hoc staff member had failed to adhere to established guidelines.

“The Board promptly intervened by calling the ad hoc official involved to order,” the statement read, adding that instructions were immediately sent out across all 62 centres in Oyo State to ensure the mistake was not repeated. JAMB emphasized that while biometric recognition requires certain facial features to be visible, this can be achieved without candidates compromising their faith.

As the 2027 political cycle begins to influence public debates on national inclusion, the swift handling of this “Ibadan Incident” is being seen as a key move to prevent religious tension. For the Muslim community and candidates nationwide, the message from JAMB tonight is one of protection: the board has “briefed again” all staff to ensure that every student is treated with dignity. With nine days of exams still to go, the board is betting that this early intervention will keep the focus on the papers, not the attire.