Oyo High Court affirms Muslim students’ right to wear hijab in public schools

Oyo High Court affirms Muslim students’ right to wear hijab in public schools

The Oyo State High Court sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan, has affirmed the constitutional right of female Muslim students to wear the Islamic hijab in all government-owned public schools across the state, including institutions with missionary origins.

The judgment, delivered on Monday, July 20, 2026, by Justice Y. S. Adekunle, has been hailed by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Oyo State Chapter, as a landmark victory for constitutional democracy, religious freedom and the rule of law.

The decision followed a suit filed by Sumaiya Ayanrinde and four others against the Governor of Oyo State and three other defendants in Suit No. I/47/2026.

In a statement issued after the ruling, the General Secretary of MURIC’s Oyo State Chapter, Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, described the judgment as a reaffirmation of the constitutional rights guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

According to MURIC, the court held that the directive prohibiting female Muslim students from wearing the hijab in government-owned public schools violated their fundamental rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, protection from discrimination, and the right to education.

Justice Adekunle also ruled that all government-owned public schools must remain secular and impartial, irrespective of their historical affiliations or missionary backgrounds, the group stated.

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As part of the judgment, the court reportedly directed the Oyo State Government to issue an official circular to all public schools authorising eligible Muslim female students to wear the hijab as part of their approved school uniform.

The court also granted a perpetual injunction restraining the government and relevant authorities from enforcing any policy that prohibits the use of the hijab in government-owned public schools.

Reacting to the ruling, MURIC congratulated the Muslim parents, guardians and students who instituted the legal action, describing their persistence as a demonstration of confidence in the judicial process.

The organisation also commended the legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Kazeem Gbadamosi, praising its commitment to protecting the constitutional rights of Muslim schoolgirls.

MURIC further applauded Justice Adekunle for what it described as a well-reasoned judgment that reinforces public confidence in the judiciary.

The Islamic rights advocacy group called on the Oyo State Government to comply fully with the court’s orders by issuing the necessary directives to education authorities and school administrators across the state.

It stressed that obedience to valid court judgments remains a cornerstone of democratic governance and respect for the rule of law.

The group also urged school administrators, teachers, parents and members of the public to accept the judgment peacefully and avoid actions capable of heightening religious tensions.

According to MURIC, the judgment should not be interpreted as a victory of one religious group over another but as an affirmation of every Nigerian’s constitutional right to practise his or her religion without discrimination.

The organisation advised members of the Muslim community in Oyo State to celebrate the judgment peacefully and responsibly while continuing to embrace lawful means of resolving disputes.

The legal battle over the use of the hijab in public schools has remained one of the most contentious religious issues in Oyo State in recent years, generating debates among religious groups, education stakeholders and civil society organisations over the balance between school regulations and constitutionally guaranteed religious freedoms.

Monday’s judgment is expected to have significant implications for education policy and religious rights in Oyo State, particularly regarding the implementation of dress codes in government-owned public schools.

Oyo High Court affirms Muslim students’ right to wear hijab in public schools