Hijab Controversy: MURIC Demands Suspension of Law School Exams, Threatens Peaceful Protests

Hijab Controversy: MURIC Demands Suspension of Law School Exams, Threatens Peaceful Protests

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called for the immediate suspension of examinations at the Nigerian Law School following allegations that female Muslim students wearing hijabs were harassed, intimidated and prevented from entering examination halls at some campuses across the country.

The Islamic human rights organisation also demanded an investigation into the alleged incidents, insisting that candidates who were delayed or prevented from taking their examinations because of their religious attire should be allowed to rewrite them.

MURIC made the demands in a statement issued on Sunday, November 1, 2026, by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

According to the organisation, several female Muslim candidates wearing hijabs were allegedly denied entry into examination halls on Saturday, October 31, while preparing to sit for their final examinations ahead of the Call to the Bar.

Akintola alleged that some of the affected candidates were made to remain outside examination venues for about an hour and were only allowed to enter after removing their hijabs.

He said the organisation received numerous telephone calls, text messages and other complaints from distressed candidates, their parents and concerned Muslims across the country during the incident.

MURIC described the alleged treatment of the candidates as discriminatory and a violation of their fundamental rights, arguing that no student should be subjected to intimidation or humiliation because of her religious beliefs.

The organisation specifically questioned the involvement of the Nigerian Law School, an institution responsible for professional legal training, in what it described as the disregard for constitutional provisions and judicial pronouncements protecting religious freedom.

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It cited Sections 38(1) and 38(2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which guarantee freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the right to manifest and practise one’s religion.

The group also referenced the Supreme Court judgment in Lagos State Government & Others v. Asiyat AbdulKareem (2022), which affirmed the right of female Muslim students to wear hijab in public schools in Lagos State.

MURIC further argued that the alleged treatment of the candidates violated Section 42 of the Constitution, which prohibits discrimination, as well as Section 34(1)(a), which guarantees respect for the dignity of the human person and prohibits torture and inhuman or degrading treatment.

Consequently, the organisation demanded the suspension of all Law School examinations pending an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the reported incidents.

It also called for disciplinary or other appropriate action against anyone found responsible for the alleged harassment, intimidation, religious profiling and discrimination against the candidates.

The organisation particularly demanded that candidates who were affected by the controversy be given another opportunity to sit for their examinations.

Akintola said the demand should cover candidates who were delayed outside examination halls for as little as 15 minutes, noting that some allegedly spent up to one hour outside before eventually removing their hijabs to gain admission.

Beyond the demands for an investigation and rescheduling of examinations, MURIC announced plans for peaceful protests across Nigerian Law School campuses if its demands were not addressed.

The proposed demonstrations, according to the organisation, would involve parents of the affected students, Muslim youths and other stakeholders within the Muslim community.

However, MURIC stressed that the protests would be conducted peacefully, in line with its motto, ‘Dialogue, Not Violence’.

The organisation also urged Muslim parents and community leaders to take a more active role in defending the rights of their children and wards, arguing that parents should not only provide educational opportunities but also monitor their children’s welfare and protect their constitutional rights.

Akintola expressed disappointment with what he described as the silence of some Muslim elders and parents over issues affecting the religious rights of Muslim students.

He urged Muslim youths to become more involved in peaceful advocacy for civil liberties, saying that continued silence could encourage further incidents of discrimination.

Quoting the late American civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr., MURIC said freedom was rarely granted voluntarily by those in positions of power but had to be demanded by those whose rights were being denied.

The organisation, however, cautioned its supporters against violence, insisting that any campaign arising from the controversy must remain within the bounds of peaceful engagement and lawful protest.

The controversy has raised fresh questions about the accommodation of religious practices within professional educational institutions and the enforcement of constitutional protections for religious freedom in Nigeria.

MURIC’s demands now place pressure on the Nigerian Law School authorities to clarify the circumstances surrounding the reported incidents and explain the policies governing the wearing of religious attire during professional examinations.

As of the time of this report, the Nigerian Law School’s response to the allegations and demands was not contained in MURIC’s statement.

 

Hijab Controversy: MURIC Demands Suspension of Law School Exams, Threatens Peaceful Protests