Nigerian Court Orders National Service Scheme NYSC To Permit Skirts For Female Corps Members, Respect Religious Beliefs
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) breached the constitutional rights of two former corps members by refusing to allow them to wear skirts during their service, a decision the court said violated their religious freedoms.
In a judgment delivered on June 13, 2025, and reported by *The PUNCH* on Sunday, Justice Hauwa Yilwa declared that NYSC’s strict policy requiring female corps members to wear trousers as part of their official uniform is unconstitutional. The court held that this policy infringed upon the applicants’ rights to religious expression and personal dignity under Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The case involved two separate suits No: FHC/ABJ/CS/989/2020 and FHC/ABJ/CS/988/2020 respectively filed by Miss Ogunjobi Blessing and Miss Ayuba Vivian. Both women argued that being compelled to wear trousers went against their Christian beliefs, citing Deuteronomy 22:5, which they interpret as prohibiting women from wearing clothing associated with men.
They alleged that NYSC officials violated their fundamental rights by enforcing the trousers-only rule, causing them harassment and humiliation. They asked the court to order NYSC to provide skirt options for female corps members who object to trousers on religious grounds.
Among the reliefs sought were:
* A declaration that wearing skirts as part of the NYSC uniform falls under their constitutional right to practice and manifest their religion.
* A finding that the treatment they received from NYSC staff violated their rights to religious freedom, dignity, and protection from degrading treatment.
* An order directing NYSC to allow skirts for any female corps member with similar religious objections and to act in accordance with Section 38(1) of the Constitution.
They also requested ₦10 million each in damages.
In her ruling, Justice Yilwa granted all declaratory requests, ordered NYSC to permit the use of skirts for those citing religious reasons, and instructed the scheme to recall the affected women, issue their NYSC discharge certificates, and avoid future violations of similar rights.
While the applicants asked for ₦10 million in compensation, the court instead awarded them ₦500,000 each, saying that amount was appropriate in the circumstances.
“The respondents’ actions caused the applicants embarrassment and humiliation. Such conduct is a clear violation of their fundamental rights,” the judge stated.
This judgment is considered a major step in the ongoing discussion about religious freedoms and uniform regulations in Nigeria’s public institutions.
