In a groundbreaking decision, 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, declaring the NYSC’s trousers-only policy unconstitutional. This landmark judgement, delivered by Justice Hauwa Yilwa on June 13, 2025, upholds Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution, guaranteeing freedom of religion and human dignity.
The ruling followed consolidated suits filed by two former corps members, Miss Ogunjobi Blessing and Miss Ayuba Vivian, who challenged the mandatory trousers-only policy, arguing it contravened their Christian faith. They cited Deuteronomy 22:5, which they interpret as a biblical injunction against women wearing men’s clothing.
The applicants sought several declarations, including:
That NYSC’s refusal to allow skirts violated their fundamental rights under Section 38(1) of the Constitution.
That being forced to wear trousers amounted to harassment, humiliation, and a breach of their religious freedoms.
That NYSC should be compelled to recognise and include skirts as part of its official uniform for female corps members who object on religious grounds.
Justice Yilwa, in her judgement, granted all the reliefs sought by the applicants. She ruled that NYSC must allow any female corps member with religious objections to wear skirts and directed the agency to recall the affected women and issue them their NYSC certificates.
The court further awarded ₦500,000 in damages to each of the applicants for the emotional and psychological distress caused by their treatment during the service year. Though the plaintiffs had demanded ₦10 million, the court deemed the awarded amount sufficient.
The landmark judgement marks a significant moment in the balance between institutional policy and constitutional freedoms, particularly in matters relating to religion and gender rights.
