Federal High Court declares NYSC's compulsory trouser policy unconstitutional, awards damages to former corps members denied the right to wear skirts
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to permit female corps members to wear skirts as part of their official uniform if it aligns with their religious beliefs, ruling that the current mandatory trouser policy violates constitutional rights.
Justice Hauwa Yilwa, delivering judgment on June 13, 2025, held that the NYSC’s refusal to accommodate religious dress preferences constitutes a breach of fundamental rights, particularly the right to freedom of religion and protection from degrading treatment. The court also found the NYSC's actions amounted to religious discrimination and a violation of human dignity.
The court awarded ₦500,000 each in damages to two former corps members, Miss Ogunjobi Blessing and Miss Ayuba Vivian who were denied the opportunity to complete their service for refusing to wear trousers, citing Christian religious convictions rooted in Deuteronomy 22:5.
In consolidated suits marked FHC/ABJ/CS/989/2020 and FHC/ABJ/CS/988/2020, the applicants sought enforcement of their rights under Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and relevant NYSC bye-laws.
The court granted all their reliefs, including:
A declaration that refusing to allow skirts for religious reasons is unconstitutional
A directive mandating the NYSC to allow skirts for female corps members with genuine religious objections
An order for the NYSC to recall and certify the affected former corps members
A finding that the harassment and humiliation they suffered at the hands of NYSC officials constituted degrading treatment
Although the applicants initially sought ₦10 million each in damages, the court awarded ₦500,000 apiece, stating the amount was sufficient in light of the circumstances.
Justice Yilwa strongly condemned the NYSC's enforcement of a one-size-fits-all dress code, stressing that "denying the applicants the opportunity to complete their national service due to their attire amounted to religious discrimination."
This landmark ruling sets a significant precedent on religious expression within national institutions and calls into question uniform policies that fail to accommodate religious diversity.
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