MURIC backs JAMB Registrar, says ‘Your white garment remains untainted

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has thrown its weight behind the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, assuring him that his integrity remains intact despite recent examination glitches.

MURIC’s support comes after Oloyede admitted to errors during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and promised another examination opportunity for affected candidates.

The group also withdrew the statement it circulated on Wednesday, 14th May 2025.

In a statement issued on Wednesday evening by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the group sympathized with parents and candidates affected by the glitches.

It will be recalled that MURIC in an earlier statement issued today had doubted the claims made by victims of the mishaps during the JAMB examination. But the JAMB boss, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, later admitted the error and promised that victims would have the opportunity for another examination.

“Despair not,” MURIC told the JAMB boss, “you are still numero uno among the few saints in this country. Your white garment remains untainted. The evil-doers have failed”. The statement concluded.

Also, the group kicked against the action of the Supervisor of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and PEFTI for allegedly forcing a Muslim girl, Lawal Hameedat Adenike, a teenager, to remove her hijab before writing the University Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

A statement issued on Friday, by the General Secretary of MURIC, Oyo State Chapter, Amb. Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade asked both JAMB and PEFTI authorities to sanction the erring supervisor as a deterrent to other ignorant religious bigots like him.

The full statement reads: “The JAMB Supervisor of the examination taken on Friday, 25th April 2025, at the PEFTI CBT Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State. Infringed on Allah-given fundamental rights of female Muslim students by forcing them to remove their hijab before entering the examination hall.

This blatant disregard for Muslims’ rights is unacceptable and contrary to court rulings; this violates Section 38 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. It is the duty of JAMB and PEFTI management to protect these fundamental rights, especially for minors who cannot defend themselves.”

MURIC demanded an Immediate apology to the affected student, Respect for Muslims’ constitutional rights to wear hijab, and Sanctions for erring supervisors to prevent future occurrences.”

We stand in solidarity with affected students and urge JAMB to uphold constitutional rights. Religious freedom and tolerance are essential in educational settings.

MURIC calls on JAMB and PEFTI authorities to reaffirm students’ rights to wear hijab. Provide clear guidelines protecting religious freedoms. Ensure supervisors respect students’ rights.”

We will continue monitoring this situation and advocating for Muslims’ rights.