The Association of Nigerian Imams says it has received with deep concern and condemnation the reports of hijab-wearing students being harassed, denied access, and forced to remove their religious attire at Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination centres at the recent 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The Association of Nigerian Imams has condemned the alleged harassment of female candidates wearing hijab during the 2026 UTME, describing the incidents as violations of constitutional rights and human dignity.

In a statement, the Association’s National Secretary, Umar Farooq Abdullahi, decried an incident at Esther Oshikoya CBT Centre, Ibadan, on April 16, where a candidate, Fatimah Salaudeen, and other female students were reportedly compelled to remove their hijabs before accreditation.
He also cited a similar case at Peter Harvard Schools, Abuja, suggesting a pattern of religious discrimination at examination centres.
Abdullahi described the actions as “religious harassment, public humiliation, and an abuse of delegated authority,” insisting that such conduct goes beyond overzealous enforcement of rules.

“We echo the question of the JAMB Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede: ‘How would you ask another man’s wife to remove her hijab?’ This act is not mere overzealousness,” the statement read.
The Association referenced previous incidents, including reported sanctions at Bafuto Institute, Lagos, in 2024, and alleged restrictions at Covenant University and Mountain Top University during the 2023 mock UTME, warning of a recurring pattern that must be addressed.
While acknowledging the swift intervention of JAMB in Ibadan, which led to the lifting of the restriction, the group stressed that “apologies after violation cannot replace accountability before violation.”

The Association called for the immediate delisting of Esther Oshikoya CBT Centre and any other centre found culpable, including Peter Harvard Schools, Abuja. It also demanded criminal investigation and prosecution of all personnel involved, citing Sections 10 and 38 of the 1999 Constitution.
Among its demands were public disclosure by JAMB of disciplinary actions taken, mandatory retraining of CBT operators and security personnel on guidelines regarding religious attire, and strict enforcement measures to deter future violations.

“The law must have teeth. Without sanctions, we license the next violation,” Abdullahi said.
He emphasised that freedom of religion is non-negotiable, noting that Section 38(1) of the Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, including the manifestation of such beliefs in practice and observance.
“The hijab is not a fashion statement; it is an act of worship. JAMB’s guidelines permit it, requiring only respectful and private screening by female officers where necessary,” he added.

Abdullahi warned that denying candidates access to examinations on the basis of religious attire amounts to denying them education and equal citizenship.
“To CBT centres: your licence to test is not a licence to humiliate. Respect the faith of candidates or forfeit the right to host them.
“To parents and students: know your rights and report violations with evidence. Silence feeds oppression.

“To government and JAMB: enforce your policies and publish a blacklist of offending centres. Freedom of religion cannot depend on the mood of an invigilator,” he said.
The Association added that the issue transcends religious lines, warning that “an attack on one faith is a threat to all,” and urged authorities to ensure justice is served.