Court Orders NYSC to Allow Female Corps Members To Wear Skirts.

In a judgement delivered on June 13, 2025, a certified true copy of which was sighted on Sunday, Justice Hauwa Yilwa held that the NYSC’s enforcement of trousers as the only acceptable uniform for female participants violated the constitutionally guaranteed rights to freedom of religion and human dignity. 

The cases, which were initially filed separately by Miss Ogunjobi Blessing and Miss Ayuba Vivian, both former corps members, were later consolidated because of their legal similarities and decided jointly by Justice Yilwa. 

In the suits marked FHC/ABJ/CS/989/2020 and FHC/ABJ/CS/988/2020, the applicants argued that being compelled to wear trousers contradicted their Christian faith, citing Deuteronomy 22:5, which they interpret as prohibiting women from wearing garments associated with men. In their respective lawsuits, the applicants alleged that the respondents had violated their fundamental rights to religious freedom. 

They sought to have these rights upheld. Listed as respondents in the suits were the National Youth Service Corps and the Director-General of the NYSC. Under the inherent jurisdiction of the court, their applications were filed in accordance with Order 11, Rules 1–5 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009, Sections 38 and 42 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria's 1999 (as amended) Constitution, Articles 2, 5, 6, 8, 10, 17, and 19 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights. 

“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,” they requested. 

A declaration that the refusal of the NYSC to recognise and allow skirts as part “A declaration that the applicant's use of skirts in the NYSC scheme is a violation of her fundamental rights to freedom of religion and to practice and observe that freedom, as outlined 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 recognize, allow, and provide skirts for the applicant or any female corps member wishing to wear such skirts 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 its decision, the court found that not only did the NYSC's insistence on trousers violate the applicants' right to express their religion under Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), but it also made them the targets of excessive harassment and treated them in a degrading manner. 

Justice Yilwa, in a ruling, granted all the reliefs sought by the applicants and issued identical orders in both cases. A declaration that it is against the Constitution to prohibit skirts for religious purposes. “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 also said that the applicants' harassment, embarrassment, and humiliation at the hands of NYSC officials was a clear violation of their rights to religion and freedom to practice it. Each applicant was compensated 500,000 yen for the violation of their fundamental rights by the judge. 

The court deemed 500,000 to be sufficient in light of the circumstances, despite the fact that the two applicants had requested 10 million yen in damages. The decision emphasized that religious discrimination occurred when the applicants were denied the opportunity to complete their national service because of their attire. 

The applicants were embarrassed and humiliated by the respondents' actions. “This is a blatant infringement of their fundamental rights,” Justice Yilwa stated. 

 The applicant was represented in the lawsuit by Baba Shehu Ahmad and K.A. Lawal, whereas J.E. Okpe showed up in front of the respondents.