Court Orders NYSC to Allow Skirts for Female Corps Members on Religious Grounds

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) must permit female corps members to wear skirts if doing so aligns with their religious beliefs. The court found that the NYSC’s policy requiring trousers as the only uniform option for women violates constitutional rights to freedom of religion and human dignity, as enshrined in Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The ruling, delivered by Justice Hauwa Yilwa on June 13, 2025, followed two separate suits filed by former corps members Ogunjobi Blessing and Ayuba Vivian. Both women argued that being forced to wear trousers during their national service conflicted with their Christian faith, citing Deuteronomy 22:5, which they interpret as forbidding women from wearing male clothing.

The applicants claimed that the NYSC and its Director-General infringed upon their fundamental rights and sought court orders compelling the scheme to recognise and provide skirt options for female corps members with religious objections. They also requested a declaration that the treatment they received—including alleged harassment and humiliation by NYSC officials—constituted a violation of their rights to religious freedom, human dignity, and protection from degrading treatment.

Justice Yilwa granted all the declaratory reliefs sought, declaring that the NYSC’s uniform policy is unconstitutional where it infringes on genuine religious beliefs. She ordered the NYSC to allow the use of skirts for religious purposes, recall the affected former corps members, and issue them their discharge certificates. The court also instructed the NYSC to avoid similar violations in the future.

While the applicants had requested N10 million each in damages, the court awarded them N500,000 each, citing it as adequate compensation for the embarrassment and humiliation they suffered.