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

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