The Federal High Court in Abuja has declared that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) must approve female corps members to wear skirts in line with their religious beliefs, ruling that its trousers-only policy is unconstitutional
Delivering the judgment on June 13, 2025, Justice Hauwa Yilwa held that the NYSC’s enforcement of trousers as the only acceptable uniform for women violates their fundamental rights—particularly the right to freedom of religion and human dignity as guaranteed under Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The ruling followed two separate suits filed by former corps members, Miss Ogunjobi Blessing and Miss Ayuba Vivian, which were later consolidated due to the similarity of their legal arguments. The women argued that NYSC’s uniform policy infringed on their Christian beliefs, referencing Deuteronomy 22:5, which they interpret as prohibiting women from wearing men’s clothing.
Among the reliefs they sought were declarations that:
- NYSC’s refusal to allow skirts breached their constitutional rights and biblical convictions.
- Wearing skirts during the service year is a valid expression of religious freedom.
- The harassment and humiliation they experienced amounted to degrading treatment.
They also asked the court to compel NYSC to recognise and provide skirts for any female corps member whose faith prohibits wearing trousers, and to recall the affected former corps members and issue them their NYSC discharge certificates.
Justice Yilwa granted all the reliefs, ruling that NYSC must accommodate female corps members who choose to wear skirts for religious reasons. She also ordered the recall of the applicants and directed that they be issued their NYSC certificates.
Additionally, the court awarded ₦500,000 in damages to each of the applicants for the emotional distress and rights violations they suffered. While they had requested ₦10 million each, the court deemed ₦500,000 to be a fair compensation.
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