JAMB Explains Biometric Policy After UTME Hijab Controversy

Nigeria’s university admissions body, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has clarified that its biometric registration requirements , not religious bias,  are responsible for a viral dispute involving a candidate’s hijab during UTME registration.

The clarification follows a widely circulated social media video alleging that a candidate at a JAMB registration centre at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, was asked to remove her hijab before her biometric photograph could be captured.

JAMB says that interpretation is inaccurate.

According to claims shared online, the candidate was asked to remove her hijab to complete her registration. The video also alleged that she was instructed to provide written confirmation that she declined to comply with a requirement for her ears to be visible during photo capture.

The incident quickly reignited long-standing concerns about religious accommodation within Nigeria’s public institutions, particularly in contexts involving biometric identity systems.

JAMB: It’s a Technical Requirement, Not a Religious Directive

In a statement released on Saturday, JAMB said its registration protocol aligns with international biometric standards commonly used for passports, visas, and other identity documents.

The board explained that certain facial features — including the ears — must be visible to ensure accurate facial recognition.

“This requirement is purely technical and is intended to ensure that proper facial recognition and identification do not require the candidate to remove her hijab,” the examination body said.

JAMB emphasized that candidates are not required to remove their hijabs. Instead, the guideline exists to meet the technical demands of biometric capture systems, which rely on clear visibility of key facial markers to prevent identity fraud.

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The Bigger Issue: Biometrics in a Diverse Society

The episode underscores a recurring tension in Nigeria’s education and identity management systems: how to balance biometric security protocols with cultural and religious sensitivities.

Biometric systems depend on precision. Even minor facial obstructions can reduce the accuracy of matching algorithms, increasing the risk of impersonation — a longstanding challenge during the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which serves as the primary gateway into Nigerian tertiary institutions.

However, inconsistent enforcement or unclear communication at registration centres can quickly escalate into controversy, particularly in a country where religion plays a central social role.

Experts say clearer public communication and standardized enforcement across centres could help reduce misunderstandings.

@AsakyGRN, thank you for your concern. However, it is important to state clearly that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), whether in the past or present, has never issued any directive prohibiting candidates from wearing the hijab. What transpired at ABUAD was a https://t.co/0YV6LDSGR4

— JAMB (@JAMBHQ) February 21, 2026

This is not the first time JAMB has addressed concerns about religious attire.

In 2024, the examination body publicly stated that it had no policy prohibiting candidates from wearing religious clothing after a similar controversy involving a hijab-wearing candidate surfaced.

The board reiterated at the time that biometric compliance — not religious expression — was the determining factor in registration procedures.

JAMB conducts the UTME for millions of candidates annually. With digital identity systems now central to examination integrity, biometric accuracy has become a non-negotiable part of the process.

But as this latest incident shows, the implementation of those systems requires more than technical compliance. It demands careful communication, consistent enforcement, and cultural awareness.

For now, JAMB’s position remains clear: the biometric rule is about system accuracy, not religion.