A Nigerian court has delivered a landmark ruling affirming the right of female Muslim candidates to wear the hijab during the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, declaring any policy that forces its removal as unconstitutional.
In a judgment delivered on July 20, 2025, the Oyo State High Court held that JAMB and a computer-based test (CBT) centre operator cannot compel a female candidate to remove her hijab as a precondition for writing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The court described such a requirement as illegal, null, and void, and a violation of the constitutional right to freedom of religion.
Background of the Case
The ruling came in Suit No. I/560/2025, filed by Lawal Hameedat Adenike Olamide, a minor who sued through her mother, Mrs. Basirat Ojo-Oba. The claimant alleged that she was prevented from writing the April 25, 2025 UTME at a CBT centre operated by PEFTI Film Institute Ltd unless she removed her hijab.
Justice Y. S. Adekunle, who presided over the case, found in favour of the claimant and held both JAMB and PEFTI Film Institute Ltd liable for violating her fundamental rights.
Court’s Reasoning
In his judgment, Justice Adekunle declared that any rule made by the defendants requiring the removal of a hijab worn for religious purposes by any female candidate is illegal, null, and void, and contradicts the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The court specifically referenced Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. The judge held that forcing a candidate to remove her hijab as a condition for writing the examination violates that right.
The claimant had asked the court to determine whether the defendants’ policy violated the guarantees of religious freedom contained in Sections 38 and 1(1) and (3) of the Constitution. The court answered the questions in her favour.
Implications for Candidates and Examination Bodies
This ruling settles a recurring issue at examination centres across Nigeria, where Muslim female candidates have sometimes been asked to remove their hijab before being allowed to sit for the UTME. The judgment makes it clear that such a practice is not permissible under Nigerian law.
For JAMB and other examination bodies, the decision serves as a directive to review and adjust any internal rules or centre-level instructions that may conflict with constitutional guarantees. It also places a responsibility on CBT centre operators to ensure their procedures respect the religious rights of candidates.
For Muslim female candidates, the ruling provides legal clarity and reassurance that their religious identity cannot be used as a barrier to accessing tertiary education examinations.
Legal and Social Context
The case reflects a broader national conversation about religious freedom and the accommodation of religious practices in public institutions. While the judgment is specific to the UTME, its reasoning could influence how similar disputes are handled in other examination or educational settings.
Legal analysts note that the court’s reliance on constitutional provisions, rather than administrative convenience, underscores the primacy of fundamental rights in Nigeria’s legal framework. The ruling also highlights the role of the judiciary in checking the actions of public bodies when they infringe on individual rights.
What Happens Next
As of the date of this report, there has been no indication of an appeal by JAMB or PEFTI Film Institute Ltd. The judgment is binding on the parties involved and sets a precedent for future cases involving similar facts.
For now, the ruling stands as a clear statement: the hijab is not an obstacle to writing the UTME, and any attempt to make its removal a condition for examination is unconstitutional.