A video showing a female candidate removing her hijab before sitting for the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination in Ibadan, Oyo State, has triggered widespread concern and debate over alleged infringement on religious rights.
The footage, which surfaced on social media platform X on Thursday, was reportedly recorded at Esther Oshikoya Computer-Based Test Centre along Sango-Eleyele Road in Ibadan.
In the clip, the candidate is seen taking off her hijab before proceeding into the examination premises. However, the exact circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear.
A user, Alfa Shehu, who shared the video, alleged that candidates wearing hijabs were compelled to remove them before gaining access to the examination hall, describing the action as a violation of constitutional rights to freedom of religion and established examination guidelines.
The claim has yet to be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.
Efforts to get an official response from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board proved abortive, as the examination body had not issued any statement on the development.
However, the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Akinyele Area Council, in a statement, corroborated the incident, alleging that a security operative at the centre initially denied a candidate entry over her hijab.
The group noted that the situation had since been brought under control following the intervention of officials of the examination body.
It added that the security personnel involved had been questioned, while affected candidates were subsequently allowed to sit for the examination without further hindrance.
“The situation at Esther Oshikoya CBT Centre is now under control. Officials from JAMB have arrived at the centre and have taken over the matter,” the statement read.
The 2026 UTME commenced nationwide on Thursday, with over two million candidates expected to participate in the exercise.
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