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ISI Muslim Parents Reject Appeal Court Verdict, Head to Supreme Court Over Hijab Ban

Published

3 months ago

July 3, 2026

Can a School Founded by a Public University Truly Be Called Private?

International School, University of Ibadan (ISI)

ISI Muslim Parents Reject Appeal Court Verdict, Head to Supreme Court Over Hijab Ban

The ISI Muslim Parents Forum (ISIMPF) has vowed to challenge the Court of Appeal’s judgment affirming the International School, University of Ibadan (ISI)‘s ban on the use of hijab by female Muslim students, declaring that the legal battle will continue at the Supreme Court.

The forum announced its decision shortly after the Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division, delivered a split 2-1 judgment on Friday, overturning an earlier ruling of the Oyo State High Court, which had recognised the right of Muslim students to wear hijab as part of the school’s approved uniform.

The legal dispute, which began in 2018, was instituted by 11 Muslim female students of ISI with the support of the ISI Muslim Parents Forum and the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC). The students argued that the school’s policy prohibiting the use of hijab violated their constitutional rights to freedom of religion and freedom from discrimination.

In May 2024, the Oyo State High Court ruled in favour of the students, holding that the restriction was unconstitutional and ordering the school to allow the wearing of hijab.

However, the management of the International School, University of Ibadan appealed the decision.

Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Biobele Abraham Georgewill, with Justice K.I. Amadi concurring, held that the International School is a private educational institution, despite its affiliation with the University of Ibadan, and therefore has the legal authority to establish and enforce its internal rules, including its dress code.

The appellate court ruled that the Supreme Court’s 2022 judgment permitting Muslim students to wear hijab applies only to public schools and does not automatically extend to privately managed educational institutions.

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The court further held that while the right to freedom of religion is constitutionally protected, it is also a personal right that may be voluntarily waived.

According to the majority judgment, parents and students accepted the school’s regulations, including its uniform policy, when they signed undertakings as part of the admission process.

“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 held.

Although the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the school on the hijab issue, it found that the treatment of the affected students during the dispute violated their rights.

The court faulted the school for confining the students in the school library for between three and four hours and consequently reduced the damages awarded by the High Court from N1 million to N200,000.

In his dissenting judgment, Justice Fadawu Umar held that the appeal lacked merit and should have been dismissed, effectively affirming the High Court’s earlier decision in favour of the students.

Reacting to the verdict, Chairman of the ISI Muslim Parents Forum, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, described the judgment as disappointing but insisted that the campaign for the protection of the students’ religious rights would continue.

“As Allah decreed, we lost the appeal, but the struggle continues. We will take this matter to the highest court in the land. We appeal to all to remain calm in the face of what we consider open oppression,” Balogun said.

He urged Muslim parents, students and supporters to remain peaceful while legal efforts continue, expressing confidence that the Supreme Court would provide final clarity on the constitutional issues raised by the case.

Balogun also quoted Qur’an 10:85-86, praying for divine intervention and justice as the forum prepares to file its appeal.

Following the judgment, the International School, University of Ibadan informed parents and guardians that it would immediately enforce the appellate court’s decision.

In a notice circulated to parents, the school announced that from Monday, July 6, 2026, students would no longer be permitted to wear hijab or headscarves with the official school uniform, urging parents to ensure full compliance.

The judgment has reignited nationwide debate over the balance between religious freedom, constitutional rights, and the authority of private schools to determine their internal policies.

Legal analysts say the planned Supreme Court appeal could become a landmark constitutional case that clarifies whether private educational institutions may restrict the wearing of religious attire despite the protections guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution.

The case is also expected to define the legal boundaries between contractual obligations voluntarily accepted by students during admission and the enforcement of fundamental rights within privately managed schools.

Religious organisations, education stakeholders, legal practitioners and civil society groups continue to monitor the dispute closely, describing it as one of Nigeria’s most significant legal battles involving education, religious liberty, and the autonomy of private institutions.

Until the Supreme Court delivers a final judgment, the Court of Appeal’s decision remains the binding legal position, empowering the International School, University of Ibadan to enforce its existing dress code.

ISI Muslim Parents Reject Appeal Court Verdict, Head to Supreme Court Over Hijab Ban

Related Topics:Featured Hijab Ban ISI Muslim Parents

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Police Identify 27-Year-Old NYSC Graduate Allegedly Killed by Boyfriend

Published

34 minutes ago

October 2, 2026

Trends Admin

Enugu State Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa

Police Identify 27-Year-Old NYSC Graduate Allegedly Killed by Boyfriend

The Enugu State Police Command has identified a 27-year-old woman allegedly killed by her boyfriend as Chinyere Rosemary Ugwu, a graduate of Medical Laboratory Science from the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu.

Ugwu, who recently completed her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, was allegedly killed by her boyfriend, 30-year-old Okpara Chibuike Emmanuel, in Enugu.

The suspect was arrested after the discovery of Ugwu’s remains at his residence in the Olympic Layout, One-Day area of Enugu.

According to the police, the incident allegedly occurred on September 19, 2026. Ugwu’s remains were reportedly discovered after neighbours became suspicious of an offensive odour coming from the suspect’s apartment.

The police said neighbours forced the door open and found the deceased’s remains concealed in the toilet. Emmanuel was reportedly apprehended by residents before police officers arrived and took him into custody.

The command had earlier alleged that an argument between the couple over claims relating to HIV infection preceded the incident. Police said the suspect told investigators that he struck Ugwu on the head with a pestle during the confrontation.

However, the circumstances surrounding the death remain under investigation, and the suspect’s account has not been established as fact by a court.

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Ugwu’s remains were reportedly taken to a mortuary for preservation and autopsy as investigators work to establish the circumstances and cause of her death. The police have not announced the outcome of the autopsy.

In a fresh update, the Enugu police command said investigators had established the identity of the deceased and identified her parents and siblings, who were subsequently interviewed as part of the investigation.

The Commissioner of Police, Mamman Giwa, also met with members of Ugwu’s family and the suspect. The commissioner assured the family that the command would conduct a thorough investigation and pursue justice in accordance with the law.

The family has also reportedly called for a comprehensive investigation, questioning the suggestion that the alleged killing should be attributed solely to an HIV-related disagreement.

The police said Emmanuel has been interviewed by investigators as efforts continue to establish the full circumstances surrounding Ugwu’s death.

The command urged members of the public, particularly women, to remain vigilant in their relationships and when meeting people they know. It advised people to keep trusted relatives or friends informed about their whereabouts and to take warning signs in potentially dangerous situations seriously.

The police said further information would be released as the investigation progresses.

Police Identify 27-Year-Old NYSC Graduate Allegedly Killed by Boyfriend

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Lagos Coastal Road Crash: One Killed, Three Seriously Injured

Published

48 minutes ago

October 2, 2026

Trends Admin

Lagos Coastal Road Crash: One Killed, Three Seriously Injured

Lagos Coastal Road Crash: One Killed, Three Seriously Injured

One person has been killed and three others seriously injured in a road accident on the Lagos Coastal Road inward Eko Hotel in Lagos.

The crash, which occurred on Friday, involved a grey Lexus Jeep 350 with registration number LSD 554 KV.

Preliminary information from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) indicated that the vehicle lost control, crashed into a roadside pole and overturned.

The impact left one person dead, while three others sustained serious injuries. The injured victims were reportedly trapped in the wreckage before passersby assisted in bringing them out.

They were subsequently taken to Duck-Yard Hospital within the Military Zone for medical treatment.

LASTMA officials who responded to the scene secured the area and coordinated the emergency operation. Security personnel from the Victoria Island area also assisted in managing the situation.

The damaged Lexus was later removed from the road to prevent further danger to motorists and help restore normal traffic movement along the affected section.

LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and urged motorists to exercise greater caution while using the road.

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He advised motorists to avoid excessive speed, reckless driving and other dangerous practices that could result in loss of vehicle control.

The latest Lagos Coastal Road accident has also renewed attention on road safety along the Lagos section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, particularly as construction and traffic movement continue on parts of the route.

Federal officials have previously raised concerns about motorists exceeding the recommended speed on the highway. However, authorities have not established that speeding was the direct cause of Friday’s Lexus crash.

The incident follows another fatal crash reported on the Coastal Road in August, when a trailer reportedly lost control and collided with a Toyota mini truck, leaving one person dead and two others injured.

LASTMA urged motorists to remain vigilant and comply with traffic regulations while using the Lagos Coastal Highway. Members of the public were also advised to report road crashes, vehicle breakdowns and obstructions through the agency’s toll-free emergency line, 3367.

Lagos Coastal Road Crash: One Killed, Three Seriously Injured

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Nigeria Launches 11-Character Digital Postcode System for Every Addressable Building

Published

7 hours ago

October 2, 2026

Trends Admin

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani

Nigeria Launches 11-Character Digital Postcode System for Every Addressable Building

The Federal Government has launched Nigeria’s National Digital Alphanumeric Postcode System, giving addressable buildings across the country unique 11-character digital postcodes linked to their precise geographical locations.

The system was officially launched on October 1, 2026, through the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) as part of efforts to modernise Nigeria’s addressing infrastructure and make it easier to identify homes, businesses, schools, farms, offices and other locations.

The new digital postcode system uses Geographic Information System technology to provide a precise and verifiable digital reference for buildings. Unlike the traditional postcode system, which generally identifies broader geographical areas, the new system is designed to pinpoint individual addressable buildings.

The 11-character code is organised across five geographical levels: state, local government area, district, area and building. The characters progressively narrow the location down to a specific building.

The Federal Government said the system is designed to address longstanding problems associated with inaccurate or incomplete addresses, including missed deliveries and difficulties faced by emergency responders, businesses and government agencies.

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said accurate location information was essential to improving commerce, public services and economic participation.

Tijani urged Nigerians to find, save and use their digital postcodes, saying the system could help businesses reach customers, enable families to provide precise locations during emergencies and support government agencies in delivering services.

The government estimates that Nigeria loses between ₦50 billion and ₦80 billion annually through missed and failed deliveries associated with poor addressing. Officials said the impact extends beyond logistics to emergency response, security operations, financial services, business activities and government planning.

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The NIPOST digital postcode belongs to a building rather than an individual. This means the code remains associated with the property even when residents or businesses occupying it change.

The new system is also designed to complement existing street addresses and mapping services rather than replace them. Users can provide their digital postcode alongside their conventional address when receiving deliveries or accessing services.

Nigerians can search for their postcode through the official Digital Postcode platform or mobile application. Users can search for their building or use location services to identify the building where they are.

Where a building cannot be found, users can submit its location and address details for verification and assignment of a postcode.

The service allows individuals to find, save and share their postcodes with family members, businesses, delivery companies and other service providers that require accurate location information.

Organisations can also integrate the digital postcode into their platforms for functions including address verification, customer and merchant onboarding, logistics, deliveries and location-based services.

The system is expected to have significant applications in e-commerce and last-mile delivery, where inaccurate addresses and dependence on informal landmarks can cause delays and additional costs.

Emergency response agencies are also expected to benefit from the system because responders can use a standard location reference to identify specific buildings during emergencies.

Security agencies, financial institutions, government departments and other organisations can similarly use the location data for planning, verification and service delivery.

The launch followed preparatory work by NIPOST, including a nationwide postcode validation exercise aimed at improving the accuracy and reliability of location data ahead of the national rollout.

The Federal Government has described the initiative as an important part of Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, with potential applications in logistics, e-commerce, emergency services, security, financial inclusion, urban planning and digital public services.

NIPOST is encouraging Nigerians to identify their 11-character digital postcode and begin using it whenever precise location information is required.

The rollout is expected to provide Nigeria with a common digital location reference and reduce some of the challenges associated with identifying and reaching specific buildings across the country.