The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has taken decisive action against accredited officials involved in a concerning incident where a female candidate wearing a hijab was instructed to remove her head cover before participating in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
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Addressing the issue promptly, JAMB ensured the candidate was able to proceed with the examination while expressing regret over the occurrence.
In a statement issued by Dr. Fabian Benjamin, the Public Communication Advisor of JAMB, the examination body announced sanctions against its accredited officials implicated in the incident at the Bafuto Institute in Ejigbo, Lagos.
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The incident, which unfolded at the Bafuto Institute, Ile-Iwe Bus Stop, Ejigbo, Lagos, elicited widespread concern after being reported by various news outlets. JAMB acknowledged the occurrence with regret and initiated an investigation into the matter.
According to the statement, the investigation revealed that the incident, as well as any similar occurrences in the past, were not in line with JAMB’s examination guidelines. Instead, it was attributed to the misinterpretation of priorities by some of the board’s accredited partners or officials, who claimed ignorance of the proper accreditation procedures.
The statement emphasized that JAMB’s guidelines mandate thorough screening of all candidates, with female officials designated to screen female candidates before granting them entry into the examination hall. The incident at the Bafuto Institute was deemed a departure from these established protocols.
Furthermore, the statement highlighted the significant number of candidates undertaking the UTME, estimated at approximately 1.2 million, underscoring the magnitude and importance of the examination.
JAMB’s swift response to the incident underscores its commitment to upholding fairness and inclusivity in the examination process, ensuring that all candidates are treated with respect and afforded equal opportunities.
