Tension flared in Ibadan on Thursday after a candidate sitting for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) was initially denied entry into an examination center for wearing a hijab.

The incident occurred early in the day at the Esther Oshinkoya Computer-Based Test Centre located along Eleyele Road, where the nationwide examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) commenced.

Eyewitnesses said the candidate was stopped at the gate by an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), who allegedly insisted that she remove her hijab before being allowed to enter the premises.

The directive sparked a heated exchange between the candidate’s parents and officials at the center, with some describing the order as a violation of the student’s constitutional right to freedom of religion.

The situation reportedly caused brief disruption at the venue before calm was restored following the intervention of stakeholders.

A parent, who spoke anonymously, condemned the action, alleging that candidates wearing hijab were being compelled to remove it before sitting for the examination, contrary to JAMB’s guidelines.

However, JAMB’s Public Communication Adviser, Fabian Benjamin, confirmed that the board had swiftly stepped in to address the issue. He stated that the candidate had been allowed to take the examination and that the officer involved had been cautioned.

Benjamin emphasized that JAMB does not tolerate discrimination, noting that candidates are permitted to dress in accordance with their religious beliefs without facing harassment.

He described the incident as a regrettable breach of protocol and suggested that directives may not have been properly communicated to some field officers.