The court held that the policy infringed on the applicants’ rights to freedom of religion and human dignity as guaranteed under Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) violated the constitutional rights of two former corps members by refusing to allow them to wear skirts during their national service, thereby infringing on their religious beliefs.
In a judgment delivered on June 13, 2025, and obtained on Sunday by The PUNCH, Justice Hauwa Yilwa declared the NYSC’s insistence on trousers as the only acceptable uniform for female corps members unconstitutional.
The court held that the policy infringed on the applicants’ rights to freedom of religion and human dignity as guaranteed under Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The consolidated suits, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/989/2020 and FHC/ABJ/CS/988/2020, were filed separately by former corps members Miss Ogunjobi Blessing and Miss Ayuba Vivian.
Both women argued that being compelled to wear trousers violated their Christian faith, citing Deuteronomy 22:5, which they interpret as prohibiting women from wearing male attire.
They accused the NYSC and its Director-General of violating their fundamental rights and prayed the court to compel the scheme to recognise and provide skirt options for female corps members with religious objections to trousers.
Among the reliefs sought were: “A declaration that the use of skirts by the applicant in the NYSC scheme forms part of her fundamental rights to freedom of religion and to manifest the same in practice and observance as provided for in Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“A declaration that the harassment, embarrassment, and humiliation suffered by the applicant at the hands of NYSC officials constitute a clear infringement of her rights to freedom of religion and to manifest same in practice, as well as the right to human dignity and protection from degrading treatment.
“An order compelling the respondents, their servants, agents, privies, or anyone acting on their behalf, to recognise, allow, and provide skirts for the applicant or any female corps member wishing to wear same in accordance with Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Deuteronomy 22:5.”
They also demanded N10,000,000 in damages, and any such further order(s) as the Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.
The applicants brought their suits under Sections 38 and 42 of the Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009.
Delivering judgment, Justice Yilwa granted all the declaratory reliefs and ordered the NYSC to recognise and allow the wearing of skirts for religious purposes; recall the affected former corps members and issue them their NYSC discharge certificates, and refrain from further acts that violate similar religious rights in the future.
The court ordered, “A declaration that the refusal to allow skirts for religious purposes is unconstitutional.
“An order mandating the NYSC to recognise and permit the use of skirts for female corps members with genuine religious objections.
“A directive compelling the NYSC to recall the affected former corps members and issue their certificates accordingly.”
Though both women requested N10 million in damages, the court awarded N500,000 each, stating the amount was sufficient under the circumstances.
“The actions of the respondents resulted in the applicants being embarrassed and humiliated. This is a blatant infringement of their fundamental rights,” Justice Yilwa said in the ruling.
The judgment is seen as a significant development in the ongoing debate over religious freedom and the regulation of dress codes in Nigeria’s public institutions.
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