ABUJA, May 10, 2025 — In a growing debate over religious rights and examination protocols, a Nigerian teenager, Lawal Hameedat Adenike, has filed a lawsuit against the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the PEFTI Computer-Based Testing (CBT) Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The legal action stems from an incident on April 25, 2025, when Lawal was allegedly instructed to remove her hijab before being allowed to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The case was filed by her legal representative, Qousim Opakunle, with support from her mother, Basirat Ojo.
“My daughter was deeply humiliated and told she couldn’t write the UTME unless she removed her hijab, something she wears as part of her faith,” Ojo said during a press briefing in Abuja. “No student should be forced to choose between her religion and her education.”
The lawsuit calls for a public apology from both JAMB and PEFTI, to be published in at least two national newspapers. Additionally, it demands financial compensation for the emotional distress and rights violation suffered by the teenager.
The legal filing further seeks a court declaration affirming that any practice or policy requiring female candidates to remove their hijabs during national exams is unconstitutional.
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Lawal’s lawyer, Opakunle, argued that the actions violated Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, which guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.
“This case is not just about one student,” Opakunle stated. “It’s about safeguarding fundamental human rights, particularly for minors who may not have the capacity to challenge systemic injustices.”
The case has already sparked discussions on social media and among civil rights advocates, with many calling for urgent reforms to examination procedures that may infringe upon religious freedoms.
As of now, JAMB and PEFTI have yet to issue official statements in response to the lawsuit.
