The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) has condemned an alleged case of discrimination against Muslim female candidates at the Esther Oshikoya CBT Centre during the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its Executive Chairman, Disu Kamor, the organisation alleged that several candidates, including one identified as Fatimah Salaudeen, were compelled to remove their hijabs before being granted access to the examination hall.
MPAC described the action as unlawful and a violation of the candidates’ constitutional rights, noting that it runs contrary to established guidelines by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
The board’s regulations, the group said, allow candidates to wear modest religious attire, including hijabs, subject only to routine security checks.
The organisation further stated that the incident exposed the affected candidates to harassment and public humiliation at a critical stage of their academic pursuit, stressing that such actions are unacceptable in a society governed by the rule of law.
While acknowledging the intervention of JAMB officials and security personnel, which reportedly restored calm and enabled the candidates to sit for their examinations, MPAC maintained that the response did not erase the alleged violations already suffered.
The group called on JAMB to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and make its findings public.
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It also urged the examination body to sanction the CBT centre and any officials found responsible, while reaffirming and strengthening enforcement of its policies on religious accommodation across all centres.
MPAC also emphasised the need for improved monitoring mechanisms nationwide to ensure compliance throughout the UTME exercise.
Citing constitutional guarantees of freedom of thought, conscience and religion, the organisation warned that no candidate should be forced to choose between their faith and access to education.
