Federal High Court In Abuja Rules NYSC Must Allow Skirts For Female Corps Members.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has delivered a landmark ruling, ordering the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to permit female corps members to wear skirts as part of their official uniform if they have religious objections to trousers. The decision, hailed as a victory for religious freedom, was announced on Sunday, following a judgement delivered on 13 June 2025 by Justice Hauwa Yilwa.
The ruling stems from two consolidated lawsuits filed by former corps members, Miss Ogunjobi Blessing and Miss Ayuba Vivian, who argued that the NYSC’s trousers-only dress code violated their Christian beliefs. Citing Deuteronomy 22:5, which they interpret as prohibiting women from wearing male attire, the applicants contended that the policy infringed their constitutional rights to freedom of religion and human dignity under Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.
Justice Yilwa declared the NYSC’s refusal to allow skirts unconstitutional, stating that the rigid enforcement of trousers as the sole uniform option subjected the applicants to harassment, embarrassment, and humiliation. “This is a blatant infringement of their fundamental rights,” she remarked, emphasising that denying the women the opportunity to complete their national service due to their attire constituted religious discrimination.
The court granted several reliefs, including an order mandating the NYSC to recognise and provide skirts as an alternative uniform for female corps members with genuine religious objections. Additionally, the NYSC was directed to recall the affected former corps members and issue their discharge certificates. Each applicant was awarded ₦500,000 in damages for the violation of their rights, though they had initially sought ₦10 million each.
The decision is expected to set a precedent for religious accommodation within the NYSC and potentially influence uniform policies across other Nigerian institutions. As of now, the NYSC has not issued an official statement in response to the ruling, but the judgement has sparked widespread discussion about balancing institutional regulations with individual rights.
This ruling marks a significant step towards ensuring that religious beliefs are respected within Nigeria’s mandatory national service programme, offering hope to future corps members seeking to express their faith through their attire.
