By Itodo Daniel Sule
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) held a peaceful protest at the Indian High Commission in Abuja on Thursday. They were worried about reports that Nigerian students in India are being treated unfairly.
NANS gave the Nigerian government seven days to take action. They said they would continue their peaceful campaigns across the country if nothing is done.
NANS Vice President (Special Duties) Comrade Abubakar Mallawa told journalists that the protest was not against India. It was a call for fairness and respect for Nigerian students living abroad.
He explained that some Nigerian students and business owners in India have faced big problems. Some have trouble renewing their visas, have been arrested because of immigration issues, or have been denied rental homes just because they are Nigerian. Others have had their shops closed, goods taken away, or even been forced into detention under harsh conditions.
NANS also said the visa process is confusing. Many students pay fees but are sometimes denied visas without being told why. Some have to write letters to explain themselves, but no clear answers are given. They also noted that Nigerian students are charged more than students from other African countries.
On housing, the group said that some hotels and landlords refuse to rent to Nigerians, even when the paperwork is correct.
NANS reminded everyone that Nigeria and India have strong diplomatic and business ties. Nigerians in India deserve to be treated fairlyBy Daily Trust
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has said that students do not have to take off their hijabs when registering for exams.
This comes after a video went viral online showing a girl at Afe Babalola University in Ekiti State. In the clip, a man said his sister was asked to remove her hijab before her photo was taken and to sign a paper. He asked, “Are Muslims being treated unfairly for wearing hijabs?”
JAMB quickly responded and explained that the video was misleading. The board said the rule about showing ears is only for technical reasons. Students need their ears visible so the computer can correctly recognise their faces—just like taking a passport or visa photo.
The board made it clear: students do not need to take off their hijabs. They can adjust their hijab so their ears can be seen while keeping it on.
About the paper the student signed, JAMB said she was just confirming that she chose not to follow the ear visibility guideline. This was to make sure the records were accurate. In the end, her registration was successfully completed.
JAMB also reminded students that registration for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination closes on February 28. Direct Entry registration will run from March 2 to April 25. Officials promised that everything will be fair and orderly.
The board encouraged everyone to check facts before worrying and assured the public that it respects all religions.
, just like Indians living in Nigeria.
The students asked for a full investigation into the reported problems. They want consular support for Nigerians in detention, fair visa processes, and an end to discrimination in housing, hotels, jobs, and businesses.
The group urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to act quickly to protect Nigerian students and citizens abroad.