2023 UTME: Henna tatoos, seductive dressings not allowed –Registrar

The registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, has issued strict advisory on the application of henna,(Laili in Hausa) and appropriate dress code ahead of the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination

(UTME ).

According to a statement made available to Blueprint Monday by JAMB’s Head of Public Affairs and Protocol, Dr Fabian Benjamin, Prof. Oloyede warned candidates against applying henna tatoo on their thumbs and fingers to avoid experiencing biometric verification 

challenges. Benjamin said that henna, when applied on thumbs and fingers, obstructs the smooth biometric 

verification of the candidates because their fingerprints cannot be obtained. “Also in an attempt by candidates to clean their fancy henna drawings, they use chemicals that damage the 

whorls on their fingers, hence making biometric verification and authentication difficult,” the statement reads in part.

Benjamin said this advisory is a reminder to all UTME candidates that JAMB’s rule of “No Biometrics, No Examination”  is in full force, therefore, candidates are to desist from 

any act that could jeopardise their chances of taking the UTME.

On dressing, Oloyede warned candidates against indecent dressing, which in some cases, constitutes a major distraction to 

candidates, embarrassing supervisors, invigilators and even the candidates wearing such dresses as other candidates pass offensive glances at them, thereby destabilising their comportment for the examination.

“In some cases it has been used to aid and abet examination malpractices.

“The board views such improper

dressing as a serious breach of UTME ethics.

“Provocative and seductive dressing as well as willful and deliberate 

exposure of one’s body to the public 

would no longer be condoned as they 

are capable of causing distraction to 

candidates and examination officials alike,” the statement added.

Benjamin listed indecent dressing 

to include, but not limited to sleeveless 

tops, body hugs, knickers, transparent clothes, canopy headties, bogus fashion jewelries, spaghetti tops, and Off-shoulders, among others.

However, the board reassured candidates of the use of pencils in examination  halls.