Federal High Court Orders NYSC to Allow Skirts for Female Corps Members

📰 Federal High Court Orders NYSC to Allow Skirts for Female Corps Members

In a landmark ruling that has sparked nationwide discussion, the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to permit female corps members to wear skirts as part of their official uniform, provided it aligns with their religious beliefs.

The judgment, delivered by Justice Hauwa Yilwa in June 2025 and made public on July 27, came after two former corps members, Blessing Ogunjobi and Vivian Ayuba, filed separate lawsuits challenging NYSC’s refusal to allow them wear skirts during their service year. They argued that forcing them to wear trousers violated their religious rights and personal convictions.

The court agreed, declaring that the NYSC's uniform policy infringed on their constitutional rights, particularly Section 38 of the Nigerian Constitution which guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. It also cited the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to support its position.

In her ruling, Justice Yilwa ordered the NYSC to not only allow skirts for corps members who object to trousers on religious grounds, but also to recall Ogunjobi and Ayuba and issue them their discharge certificates. Furthermore, the court awarded each of them ₦500,000 in damages, although they originally sought ₦10 million each.

This decision sets a powerful precedent in Nigeria, reaffirming that national institutions must respect individual religious beliefs. It also raises new questions about uniform policies across other government and military agencies.

The NYSC, established to promote national unity and integration, has yet to officially respond to the ruling. However, pressure is mounting for immediate policy revisions to prevent future violations.

As debates unfold on social media and in legal circles, one thing is clear—this ruling is a significant step in balancing national policies with constitutional freedoms, especially in a culturally and religiously diverse country like Nigeria.