Court Orders NYSC to Allow Female Corps Members to Wear Skirts
Court Orders NYSC to Allow Female Corps Members to Wear Skirts
UmarFarouk123 
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) must permit female corps members to wear skirts as part of their official uniform if it aligns with their religious beliefs.
Justice Hauwa Yilwa delivered the landmark judgment on June 13, 2025, declaring the NYSC's policy of mandating trousers as the only acceptable uniform option for women unconstitutional.
The case was brought by two former corps members, Ogunjobi Blessing and Ayuba Vivian, who argued that wearing trousers conflicted with their Christian faith. They cited Deuteronomy 22:5, which they interpret as prohibiting women from wearing men's clothing. The plaintiffs sought enforcement of their constitutional rights, including freedom of religion and human dignity .
The court granted all the reliefs sought by the applicants, except for the N10 million damages claim. Instead, Justice Yilwa awarded N500,000 to each applicant, acknowledging the embarrassment and humiliation they suffered.
This judgment marks a significant development in the debate over religious freedom and dress codes in Nigeria's public institutions .
