Upholding Fairness and Inclusivity: addressing the Hijab Incident at Bafuto Institute Lagos

In recent days, the Board was brought to attention regarding an unfortunate incident at the Bafuto Institute, Ile-Iwe Bus Stop, Ejigbo, Lagos. Reports surfaced on Sunday, April 21, 2024, notably by Muslim News and other media platforms, detailing an incident involving a hijab-wearing candidate who was asked to remove her head covering scarf during the accreditation process before entering the examination hall.

Expressing deep regret for this incident, upon thorough investigation, it was revealed that it did not align with the Board's established examination guidelines. Rather, it stemmed from the misprioritization of certain accredited partners or officials who were unaware of the Board's accreditation guidelines. These guidelines explicitly state that only female officials are to screen female candidates before granting them entry into the examination hall.

Promptly addressing the matter, a senior official from the Board intervened at the center, ensuring the candidate's entry into the hall following the requisite checks with her hijab. Subsequently, the officials involved have been appropriately sanctioned to serve as a deterrent against similar occurrences in the future, reinforcing the principle that ignorance of the law is not an excuse.

It is essential to underscore that the Board maintains no policy prohibiting candidates from wearing religious attire reflective of their beliefs, acknowledging the rich diversity of everyday life in Nigeria.

Furthermore, the Board affirms its commitment to thoroughly investigating this issue to prevent any future recurrence, in line with its proactive approach to past incidents. Rest assured, no aspect of this matter will be overlooked.

Remaining steadfast in its mission, the Board reiterates its dedication to selecting suitably qualified candidates for admission into the nation's tertiary institutions, unwavering in the face of challenges that may arise.

Amidst these developments, the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which commenced on April 19, 2024, has proceeded smoothly. As of April 22, 2024, over 1.2 million candidates have successfully completed the examination, underscoring the resilience and determination of Nigerian youth in pursuing higher education opportunities.