JUST IN; Teenage Girl sues JAMB, over alleged Hijab ban during UTME Exams
JUST IN; Teenage Girl sues JAMB, over alleged Hijab ban during UTME Exams
A teenager, Lawal Hameedat Adenike, has initiated legal proceedings against the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and PEFTI Film Institute, alleging that she was forced to remove her hijab before being allowed to sit for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The lawsuit, filed by her mother and legal representative, challenges what they describe as a violation of her constitutional rights.
The incident reportedly occurred on April 25, 2025, at the PEFTI Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Speaking to reporters in Abuja, Hameedat’s mother, Basirat Ojo, described the experience as traumatic for her daughter.
“She was told she could not take the exam unless she removed her hijab, which is part of her religious belief. It was a humiliating ordeal, and as a parent, I couldn’t stand by and do nothing,” she said.
The legal team is demanding a formal public apology from both JAMB and PEFTI, to be published in two national newspapers, as well as financial compensation for the emotional distress caused.
The suit also seeks a court ruling declaring any policy that mandates the removal of hijabs for female candidates as unconstitutional.
Lawal’s lawyer, Qousim Opakunle, said the case centers on a breach of Section 38 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion.
“This is not just about one child. It’s about ensuring that all Nigerians, regardless of age, are protected under the law. Forcing a minor to remove her hijab under duress is not only discriminatory but also unconstitutional,” Opakunle stated.
