A teenager, Lawal Hameedat Adenike, has filed a lawsuit against the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the PEFTI CBT Centre, alleging she was forced to remove her hijab before being allowed to sit for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The legal action was initiated by her mother, Basirat Ojo, and her lawyer in a bid to challenge what they describe as a violation of her religious rights.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Mrs. Ojo recounted the incident that occurred on April 25, 2025, at the PEFTI CBT Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State. She explained that her daughter was instructed to remove her hijab, which she wears for religious reasons, before being permitted to sit for the examination. “My daughter was told she could not write the exam unless she removed her hijab. This was a painful and humiliating experience for her,” said Ojo.
The lawsuit demands a public apology from JAMB and PEFTI, to be published in two national newspapers, and compensation for the violation of Lawal’s rights. The lawsuit also seeks a court ruling declaring any requirement for female candidates to remove their hijabs unconstitutional.
Lawal’s lawyer, Qousim Opakunle, emphasized the legal foundation for the case, stating, “This demand violates Section 38 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. It is our duty to protect these fundamental rights, especially for minors who cannot defend themselves.”
The case has garnered significant attention, with several Nigerians taking to social media to express their support for the teenager. Many argue that the incident reflects broader concerns over the rights of Muslim women in Nigeria, particularly regarding the hijab in public spaces.
This legal challenge highlights the ongoing debate surrounding religious expression in Nigeria’s education system and whether institutions should be allowed to impose dress codes that conflict with students’ religious practices. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for religious freedoms and rights within Nigerian educational institutions.
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