Federal High Court orders NYSC to allow skirts for female corps members

Corps members (NYSC News)

In a landmark judgment that has sparked national debate, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) violated the fundamental rights of female corps members by refusing to allow them wear skirts in observance of their religious beliefs. The decision, delivered on June 13, 2025, by Justice Hauwa Yilwa, declared the NYSC’s insistence on trousers as the only acceptable uniform for female participants unconstitutional.

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The court held that the NYSC’s uniform policy infringes on the applicants’ right to freedom of religion, as guaranteed under Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Justice Yilwa emphasized that compelling female corps members to wear trousers against their religious convictions also undermined their dignity and subjected them to degrading treatment.

The suit was brought before the court by two former corps members, Miss Ogunjobi Blessing and Miss Ayuba Vivian, who had been denied their discharge certificates for refusing to wear trousers during their service year. Their cases were consolidated due to the similarity of their claims, both of which cited Deuteronomy 22:5—a Biblical scripture interpreted by the applicants as prohibiting women from wearing garments typically associated with men.

Religious Freedom and Legal Reliefs Sought by Applicants

The applicants approached the court under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009 and relied on provisions from the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. They argued that their exclusion from completing the national service program simply because they wore skirts amounted to religious discrimination and a clear violation of their constitutional rights.

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Among the reliefs they sought was a declaration that the NYSC’s refusal to accept skirts as part of the uniform violated their rights to manifest their religion. They also requested an official recognition that the harassment and humiliation they endured from NYSC officials constituted degrading treatment. The suits requested ₦10 million each in damages, alongside an order compelling the NYSC to allow the use of skirts for religiously observant corps members.

In a significant win for the applicants, the court granted all their reliefs. Justice Yilwa issued a directive mandating the NYSC to recognise and permit the use of skirts for female corps members who object to wearing trousers on religious grounds. Furthermore, she ordered the NYSC to recall the affected former corps members and issue their discharge certificates accordingly.

Damages Awarded and Implications for NYSC Uniform Policy

While the court did not award the full ₦10 million sought by the applicants, it did grant ₦500,000 each as compensation for the infringement of their rights. Justice Yilwa stated that although the amount was less than requested, it was deemed adequate considering the circumstances. She further condemned the actions of NYSC officials, stating that their treatment of the applicants amounted to harassment, embarrassment, and a blatant breach of their dignity and freedom of religion.

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This ruling marks a significant turning point in how national institutions like the NYSC must address religious diversity and personal convictions. It sends a clear message that while national unity and uniformity are important, they must not come at the cost of individual constitutional rights. Legal analysts predict that this case could set a precedent for other institutions and agencies with similar dress code restrictions.

Going forward, the NYSC may be required to revise its uniform policy to accommodate the religious practices of female corps members. The decision not only reaffirms the constitutional right to freedom of religion but also strengthens the legal protection of individuals from institutional practices that may inadvertently discriminate against certain groups. With this judgment, the court has reinforced the principle that the Nigerian Constitution remains supreme over administrative policies.