ABUJA, Nigeria – According to the Federal High Court, female corps members with bona fide religious objections are now permitted to wear skirts as part of their NYSC uniform, overturning a longstanding trousers-only policy. This landmark ruling is today’s top latest Nigeria news.
📌 Key Takeaways
Federal High Court in Abuja nullifies the NYSC ban on skirts for female corps members.
Ruling affirms that denying skirts violates religious freedom and human dignity.
Two former corps members filed suit after being denied their orientation certificates.
Justice Hauwa Y. Joseph ordered NYSC to recognize skirts and awarded ₦10 million in damages.
NYSC must adjust uniform policy to accommodate genuine religious objections.
The Details…….
Following the suit filed by Ogunjobi John Blessing and Ayuba Vivian, justices consolidated the cases and held that NYSC’s trousers-only rule breached Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution and biblical principles (Deuteronomy 22:5).
Justice Hauwa Joseph Yilwa granted all reliefs, including the order for NYSC “to recognise and permit the use of skirts for female corps members with genuine religious objections” and awarded ₦10 million damages.
Two former corps members, Ogunjobi and Ayuba, were denied their NYSC certificates due to refusing to wear trousers because of their faith. The court found this denial unlawful.
Why Does It Matter?
This is a significant moment in Nigeria. The ruling underscores the balance between uniform discipline and individual constitutional rights in national service policy. NYSC must now amend its regulations to accommodate religious convictions regarding dress.
This could set a precedent for other uniform-related religious objections elsewhere in public institutions.
Social Media Comments….
Platform: StellaDimokoKorkus blog / Facebook
ABIONAH commented: “So abeg, make dem let them be. … many years ago skirt was part of the official clothes for NYSC female members.”
Grateful Soul commented: “It’s because of all these spirikoko people … their religions forbid them to wear trousers, good for them.”
ZARAM commented: “When a youth corps member … should wear skirt? Everyone will be fine.”Anonymous commented: “If religion does not finish Nigeria, let me know what happened.”
Disco Dancer… commented: “So how will they partake in the camp activities with long skirts?”
As reported by Daily Trust, the court emphasised that insisting only trousers violated rights upheld by law and faith. The ₦10 million award is both compensation and a signal to NYSC to overhaul its dress code policy.
✅ What Happens Next
NYSC is now legally bound to revise its uniform guidelines allowing skirts for eligible female corps members.
Affected individuals may receive compensation or certificates withheld over uniform refusal.
Public and institutional dialogue may expand around rights versus standard policy in service settings.
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Original Story by Daily Trust
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