Muslim Girls in Hijab Allegedly Harassed at JAMB Centres Amid UTME 2026 Exams

Reports emerging from parts of Nigeria have sparked widespread concern over alleged harassment of Muslim female candidates wearing hijab during the ongoing 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

Eyewitness accounts and viral videos circulating on social media claim that some female candidates were allegedly asked to remove their hijab before being allowed into examination halls at certain Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres, particularly in the South-West region. The incidents have triggered heated reactions from parents, religious groups, and civil society organisations.

One widely shared video showed a female candidate at a CBT centre reportedly adjusting and removing her hijab before entering the exam premises, a scene that has been described by critics as humiliating and discriminatory.

Muslim groups have condemned the reported incidents, insisting that the hijab is a protected expression of religious identity and should not be used as grounds for denial of access or intimidation during national examinations. The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) reportedly alleged that security personnel at one of the centres attempted to prevent entry of candidates wearing hijab before intervention by officials.

Some observers argue that the actions may have been linked to security concerns or attempts to prevent examination malpractice, as CBT centres are typically required to enforce strict identity verification procedures. However, critics maintain that such measures should not translate into religious profiling or humiliation of candidates.

JAMB, in previous clarifications on similar controversies, has maintained that no candidate should be discriminated against on religious or cultural grounds, and has urged examination centres to strictly follow approved guidelines.

The matter has since generated intense debate online, with Nigerians divided between those calling for stricter examination security protocols and others demanding stronger protections for religious rights in public institutions.

As the UTME continues nationwide, stakeholders are calling on JAMB to investigate the allegations and ensure uniform enforcement of policies across all centres to prevent further incidents.

Muslim Girls in Hijab Allegedly Harassed at JAMB Centres Amid UTME 2026 Exams

JAMB Releases First Batch of 2026 UTME Results for 632,788 Candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the first batch of 2026 UTME results, with a total of 632,788 candidates who sat for the examination on Thursday, April 16, now able to access their scores.

In a statement issued by its Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, the board confirmed that the results have been processed and are available for viewing, even as the nationwide Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) continues across accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres.

JAMB directed candidates to check their results by sending “UTMERESULT” via SMS to 55019 or 66019, using the same phone number linked to their registration. It clarified that, for now, candidates can only view their results, while printing of result slips will be enabled at a later stage.

The board issued a strong warning against result falsification and manipulation, particularly the alteration of SMS result messages to deceive parents or the public. It described such actions as a serious criminal offence, stressing that it will not hesitate to prosecute offenders.

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JAMB disclosed that two candidates and one parent are already in custody for allegedly falsifying UTME results using artificial intelligence and other electronic means, highlighting a growing trend of digital malpractice.

“The Board treats such misconduct with the utmost gravity… Any candidate found culpable will face the full consequences of the law,” the statement noted.

The examination body also revealed that the 2026 UTME is still ongoing, and results will be released in batches as marking and verification processes are completed. Some results, it added, may be withheld temporarily due to issues such as biometric verification, suspected malpractice, or technical concerns, pending further review.

JAMB reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a credible, transparent, and technology-driven examination system, noting that enhanced monitoring mechanisms have been deployed to detect irregularities and uphold the integrity of the process.

The UTME remains a key requirement for admission into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education in Nigeria, with hundreds of thousands of candidates participating annually.

JAMB Releases First Batch of 2026 UTME Results for 632,788 Candidates

FG Ends Physical Certificate Verification as Process Goes Fully Digital

The Federal Government has announced the full automation of the authentication and evaluation of academic credentials, marking a major shift in Nigeria’s education verification system and officially ending physical verification processes.

The reform was disclosed by the Federal Ministry of Education in a statement issued on Friday by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, describing the initiative as part of efforts to strengthen transparency, improve data management, and enhance service delivery in the education sector.

According to the ministry, the new system aligns with the Federal Government’s broader digital transformation agenda, aimed at leveraging technology to improve efficiency, reduce delays, and ensure the integrity of academic records.

With the new policy, all applications for academic credential authentication and evaluation will now be processed strictly online through the ministry’s official verification portal.

Applicants are required to register and upload supporting documents via the official platform: essverify.education.gov.ng, while also contacting their awarding institutions to forward academic transcripts directly from official institutional email addresses to ess1@education.gov.ng for verification and processing.

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The ministry stressed that physical visits to its offices for certificate authentication are no longer required, as the entire process has been moved to a fully electronic system.

Officials explained that the digital transition is expected to significantly reduce processing time, streamline administrative procedures, and strengthen the credibility of academic verification across Nigeria.

The policy is also aimed at addressing long-standing challenges of certificate fraud and document falsification, which have affected both employment verification and academic mobility.

Education stakeholders say the reform could improve Nigeria’s global academic credibility by aligning its credential verification system with international digital standards increasingly used by universities and employers worldwide.

The ministry added that safeguards have been integrated into the system to ensure data security and prevent manipulation, while also improving coordination between educational institutions and government agencies.

The move forms part of wider education sector reforms focused on digitisation, transparency, and improved public service delivery across federal institutions.

FG Ends Physical Certificate Verification as Process Goes Fully Digital