A Nigerian teenager, Lawal Hameedat Adenike, has taken JAMB and PEFTI to court, accusing both of infringing on her religious freedom by compelling her to remove her hijab before she could sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The legal challenge, filed in Abuja on her behalf by her mother and legal counsel, is centered on an incident that took place on April 25 at the PEFTI CBT centre in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Speaking with reporters on Friday, Lawal’s mother, Basirat Ojo, described what unfolded when her daughter arrived to write her exam. “My daughter was told she could not write the exam unless she removed her hijab, which she wears for religious reasons. This was a painful and humiliating experience for her. As her mother, I had to take action to protect her rights.”
According to court filings, the family is demanding not only a formal apology from both JAMB and PEFTI, but that the apology be published in two widely circulated national newspapers. They are also seeking compensation for what they describe as a clear violation of her fundamental rights. Additionally, the lawsuit wants the court to declare that any rule forcing female candidates to remove hijabs during examinations is unconstitutional.
READ MORE: JAMB Releases 2025 UTME Results, Withholds 39,834 For Alleged Examination Malpractices
Qousim Opakunle, the lawyer representing Lawal, outlined the constitutional basis of the suit. “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 draws attention once again to the growing tension around religious expression and institutional overreach in Nigeria.
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