Court Orders NYSC To Permit Skirts For Female Corps Members
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) must allow female corps members to wear skirts in line with their religious beliefs.
In a judgment delivered on June 13, 2025, Justice Hauwa Yilwa held that enforcing trousers as the only acceptable uniform for female participants violated their constitutional rights to freedom of religion and human dignity.
The ruling followed separate suits filed by former corps members, Miss Ogunjobi Blessing and Miss Ayuba Vivian, who argued that wearing trousers conflicted with their Christian faith, citing Deuteronomy 22:5, which they interpret as prohibiting women from wearing garments associated with men.
The cases, consolidated by the court, had the NYSC and its Director-General as respondents.
The applicants sought the following reliefs: “A declaration that the refusal of the NYSC to recognise and allow skirts as part of the NYSC uniform constitutes a breach of the applicant’s right under Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as Deuteronomy 22:5 of the Bible, and a misinterpretation of Schedule 2, Article 1(I)(a) of the NYSC Bye-Laws 1993.
“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 damages for ₦10,000,000 and any such further order(s) as the Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.
In her ruling, Justice Yilwa granted all the reliefs sought by the applicants and issued identical orders in both cases.
“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,” the court stated.
The court further declared that the harassment, embarrassment, and humiliation suffered by the applicants at the hands of NYSC officials constituted a clear infringement of their fundamental rights to religion and freedom to practise it.
Although both applicants had sought ₦10 million in damages, the court awarded ₦500,000 to each of them, which it considered adequate in 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 stated.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
