JAMB Clarifies Hijab Policy After Viral ABUAD Video

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) clarified that there is no directive prohibiting female candidates from wearing hijabs during biometric capture, following a viral video from Afe Babalola University in Ekiti State. The video featured a man claiming that his sister was instructed to remove her hijab for biometric capture.

JAMB responded by stating that the narrative was misleading and emphasized that the issue revolves around ensuring that ears are visible during photo capture for accurate identification, which aligns with global best practices. The board clarified that candidates are not required to remove their hijabs; rather, they must ensure their ears are visible during the process.

JAMB also noted that candidates can document their choice not to comply with the ear visibility guideline to prevent future misrepresentation. The registration for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination is ongoing and will close on February 28, with direct entry registration scheduled to begin on March 2 and end on April 25.