Appeal Court Overturns Hijab Verdict, Declares UI International School Can Enforce Dress Code

The Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division, has set aside the judgment of the Oyo State High Court that allowed Muslim female students to wear hijab as part of the official uniform at the International School, University of Ibadan (ISI), ruling that the institution is a private school with the legal authority to enforce its dress code.

The appellate court delivered the judgment on Friday in a split 2-1 decision, allowing the appeal filed by the management of ISI against the earlier High Court ruling that recognised the students’ right to wear hijab while in school.

The legal dispute dates back to 2018, when 11 Muslim female students, supported by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), instituted a suit challenging the school’s prohibition of hijab, arguing that the policy violated their constitutional rights to freedom of religion and freedom from discrimination.

In May 2024, Justice Moshood Ishola of the Oyo State High Court ruled in favour of the students, describing the school’s policy as an infringement on their fundamental rights guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The court declared that the students were entitled to wear hijab with their school uniforms and restrained the school authorities from enforcing the restriction.

Dissatisfied with the decision, the management of the International School, University of Ibadan approached the Court of Appeal, arguing that the institution is privately managed and possesses the legal authority to determine and enforce its internal regulations, including its dress code.

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Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Biobele Abraham Georgewill, with Justice K.I. Amadi concurring, held that previous Supreme Court decisions permitting the use of hijab apply only to public schools and not to private educational institutions.

According to the appellate court, although the school is affiliated with the University of Ibadan, it remains a private educational institution and is therefore entitled to establish and enforce its own rules governing students’ appearance and conduct.

Justice Georgewill ruled that the constitutional right to freedom of religion is a personal right that may be voluntarily waived.

He held that by seeking admission into ISI and signing undertakings to obey the school’s rules and regulations, students and their parents accepted the institution’s dress code and other conditions governing admission.

“In public schools, you can wear hijab on school uniforms based on the judgment of the Supreme Court. But the Supreme Court is yet to make any decision on the use of hijab in private schools,” Justice Georgewill stated.

The appellate court concluded that the contractual relationship between the school and its students gives the institution the authority to insist on compliance with its established policies.

However, Justice Fadawu Umar, in his dissenting judgment, held that the appeal lacked merit and should have been dismissed, effectively affirming the earlier High Court decision that upheld the students’ constitutional rights.

Following the judgment, the management of the International School, University of Ibadan notified parents and guardians that it would immediately implement the appellate court’s ruling.

In a notice circulated to parents, the school announced that from Monday, July 6, 2026, no student would be permitted to wear hijab or any headscarf with the official school uniform.

The management said all students are expected to comply fully with the school’s rules and regulations in line with the Court of Appeal’s decision.

The judgment has sparked fresh debate among legal practitioners, education stakeholders, religious organisations and civil society groups over the balance between religious freedom and the autonomy of private schools to regulate student conduct.

Supporters of the ruling argue that private educational institutions should retain the right to establish policies that preserve their identity and operational standards.

Others, however, contend that constitutional rights should remain protected irrespective of whether an institution is publicly or privately managed, describing the judgment as one that raises significant constitutional questions.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has expressed disappointment over the verdict and indicated that it would study the Certified True Copy of the judgment before deciding on its next legal steps.

Legal analysts note that the case could still proceed to the Supreme Court, which would have the final authority to determine whether private educational institutions can lawfully restrict the wearing of religious attire as part of their uniform policies.

Until any further judicial pronouncement, the Court of Appeal’s decision remains binding, paving the way for the International School, University of Ibadan to enforce its existing dress code.

Appeal Court Overturns Hijab Verdict, Declares UI International School Can Enforce Dress Code

He Pinned Me to the Bathroom Door, UNIOSUN Student Recounts Alleged Assault by Soldier

A female student of Osun State University (UNIOSUN) has alleged that one of the soldiers who invaded off-campus student hostels in Osogbo, Osun State, attempted to sexually assault her after forcing his way into her room during a late-night operation that has sparked widespread outrage.

The student, identified simply as Ademola, recounted her experience in a video that has since circulated on social media. According to her, she was alone in her hostel room preparing a meal when soldiers, believed to be from the Nigerian Army Depot, Osogbo, arrived in the area on Monday night.

She said the soldiers initially moved through the neighbourhood before returning later in the evening, knocking on doors, searching rooms and ordering students to open their doors.

“My name is Ademola, a student of Osun State University. I was in my hostel room cooking when I noticed they were around. After a while everything died down. However, later, we started hearing noise again,” she said.

According to the student, one of the soldiers directed a flashlight into her room and asked how many people were inside.

“One of them asked how many of us were inside the room and I told him two. I also told him my roommate wasn’t around.”

She alleged that the encounter turned violent after one of the soldiers entered her room.

“He pinned me to my bathroom door, told me I would like it. He also told me not to shout. So, I begged him.”

Ademola said she managed to free herself and moved towards the door while repeatedly asking the soldier to leave.

“I had to look for a way to get out of his hold and moved to the door. On moving to the door, I told him to move out.”

She further alleged that another soldier entered the room and attempted to calm her while encouraging his colleague.

“His colleague came in and also told me to calm down, that I would love it and that I shouldn’t shout.”

According to her, she raised the alarm by screaming loudly, forcing both soldiers to flee.

“When they started moving, I shouted and screamed. After shouting, they both moved out and I had to use force to close the door.”

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She added that another student later came to check on her after hearing the commotion.

The allegation comes amid growing reports that soldiers invaded several off-campus hostels occupied by UNIOSUN students on Monday night. Multiple students alleged that military personnel stormed hostels in the Oke Baale and Shasha areas of Osogbo, physically assaulted residents and forcefully entered rooms.

Witnesses claimed that more than 20 student hostels were affected during the operation, with several students reportedly sustaining injuries after being beaten. Students also alleged that over 60 mobile phones, laptops and other electronic devices were taken during the raid.

Some female students further alleged that they were stripped and subjected to degrading treatment during the incident, while others claimed they were threatened and intimidated. These allegations have not been independently verified, and investigations are ongoing. Some residents also alleged that the soldiers demanded money from young people they encountered before proceeding to the student hostels.

The incident triggered protests on Tuesday as hundreds of UNIOSUN students blocked sections of the Osogbo–Ikirun Road, demanding justice for victims and the prosecution of any personnel found responsible. The protesters carried placards condemning the alleged assault and called on both the Federal Government and the military authorities to ensure accountability.

The management of Osun State University condemned the reported invasion, describing it as disturbing and unacceptable. Vice-Chancellor Professor Clement Adebooye visited some of the affected hostels and assured students that the institution would continue engaging relevant security agencies to ensure justice is served.

The university disclosed that it had formally notified the leadership of the Nigerian Army Depot, Osogbo, over the allegations and reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety and welfare of students.

Responding to the allegations, the Nigerian Army Depot, Osogbo, confirmed that it had commenced an investigation following a petition submitted by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Army said the Commandant had directed a thorough investigation to establish the facts surrounding the incident. The military assured the public that any officer or soldier found culpable would face appropriate disciplinary measures and any other legal consequences.

The Army also appealed to victims and witnesses to cooperate with investigators by providing statements and any available evidence to support the inquiry. The investigation remains ongoing.

He Pinned Me to the Bathroom Door, UNIOSUN Student Recounts Alleged Assault by Soldier

NELFUND Warns Institutions Against Withholding Student Loan Refunds, Arbitrary Fee Hikes

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has warned tertiary institutions across Nigeria against withholding student loan refunds due to beneficiaries or using the student loan scheme as a basis for increasing tuition and other institutional fees.

The agency said institutions that have already received tuition payments on behalf of students who had previously paid their fees must promptly refund the affected students. It stressed that failure to do so undermines the objectives of the student loan programme and places unnecessary financial burdens on beneficiaries.

NELFUND also cautioned school authorities against introducing arbitrary fee increases or exploiting the loan scheme to impose additional charges on students, noting that the programme was created to improve access to higher education rather than justify higher education costs.

According to the fund, reports of delayed refunds and unexplained fee adjustments by some institutions have raised concerns, prompting the warning. It urged all participating institutions to comply with the operational guidelines governing the scheme and ensure transparency in the management of students’ financial obligations.

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The agency reiterated its commitment to protecting the interests of beneficiaries and maintaining the integrity of the student loan programme. It added that institutions found violating the guidelines could face appropriate sanctions in line with applicable regulations.

NELFUND encouraged students who experience difficulties in obtaining refunds or who suspect irregularities in the implementation of the loan scheme to report such cases through its official complaint channels for prompt investigation and resolution.

The fund reaffirmed that the student loan initiative is designed to ease the financial burden on students and expand access to quality tertiary education, urging all stakeholders to support its successful implementation through accountability and strict compliance with established procedures.

NELFUND Warns Institutions Against Withholding Student Loan Refunds, Arbitrary Fee Hikes