The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has strongly condemned the reported action of a Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) supervisor at the PEFTI CBT Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State, for allegedly forcing a Muslim candidate, Lawal Hameedat Adenike, to remove her hijab before being allowed to take the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
In a statement issued on Friday, 16th May 2025, the General Secretary of MURIC, Oyo State Chapter, Ambassador Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, described the act as a violation of the candidate’s fundamental human rights, citing the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom.
According to the statement, the incident occurred on Friday, 25th April 2025, during the UTME session at the PEFTI CBT Centre, Ibadan. The organisation alleged that the female candidate was compelled to remove her hijab before she was permitted to enter the examination hall.
“This blatant disregard for Muslims’ rights is unacceptable and contrary to court rulings. It violates Section 38 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. It is the duty of JAMB and PEFTI management to protect these fundamental rights, especially for minors who cannot defend themselves,” the statement read.
MURIC called for an immediate apology to the affected student, enforcement of policies that respect the constitutional rights of Muslim students to wear the hijab, and disciplinary measures against the supervisor involved.
“We stand in solidarity with the affected student and urge JAMB to uphold constitutional rights. Religious freedom and tolerance are essential in educational settings,” the statement added.
The group further urged JAMB and PEFTI to provide clear guidelines for examination supervisors to ensure respect for students’ religious freedoms.
MURIC concluded by stating that it will continue to monitor the situation and advocate for the rights of Muslims across the country.
