- Safiu Kehinde
The Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) has reacted to the viral of one of its Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates denied entry into her designated centre for wearing hijab in Ibadan.
The candidate, who was posted to Esther Oshikoya Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre, had on Thursday arrived at the centre with hijab.
She was however denied entry into the examination hall by JAMB ad hoc officials.
This had sparked mixed reactions and religious divides from members of the public.
Reacting to the development in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, JAMB condemned the action of the ad hoc official.
Benjamin clarified that the centre was not responsible for the action.
The JAMB spokesperson held that the action was done by the ad staff out of overzealousness.
“The attention of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has been drawn to an incident at the Esther Oshikoya CBT Centre in Ibadan.
“Through its monitoring mechanisms, the Board observed the occurrence during the screening exercise for the first session of the examination day on Thursday, 16th.
“The Board promptly intervened by calling the ad hoc official involved to order and issuing immediate instructions that no candidate wearing a hijab should be asked to remove or alter it.
“The Board wishes to state clearly that this act was neither perpetrated by the centre nor part of its official protocol.
“Rather, it was the action of an overzealous ad hoc staff member who failed to adhere to the Board’s established guidelines regarding candidates’ religious attire.” The statement partly read.
JAMB reiterated its respect for religious beliefs and customs, stressing that such conduct was never in line with its screening procedures.
The board disclosed that all the ad hoc staff had been further briefed on the approved procedures for screening candidates as it assured all candidates of its respect for their rights to religious expression.
“JAMB categorically affirms that such actions are not in line with its screening procedures. The Board respects the religious beliefs and customs of all Nigerians and has addressed the situation promptly and appropriately.
“We assure all candidates, regardless of faith, that their rights to religious expression including dressing remain a cornerstone of our policy.
“For the avoidance of doubt, all ad hoc staff have been further briefed and reminded of the approved procedures for screening candidates at all centres.” The statement read further.