The Digest:
In a landmark judgment, the Federal High Court in Abuja declared the NYSC’s skirt ban for female corps members unconstitutional, awarding N1M in damages to two ex-corps members who were denied their service completion. The ruling highlights the clash between state policies and religious freedoms.
Key Points:
- A court ruling made on June 13, 2025, declared the NYSC uniform policy unconstitutional.
- Female corps members’ religious rights violated by compulsory trousers requirement.
- Plaintiffs, Ogunjobi Blessing and Ayuba Vivian, argued that trousers conflicted with Christian beliefs.
- The ruling mandates NYSC to allow skirts for religious objections and issue certificates.
- N500,000 awarded to each plaintiff for harm suffered, not the sought N10M.
- The ruling sparked debates on religious liberty and gender dress codes in public programs.
- The court’s decision sets a precedent for addressing faith-based objections in government programs.
The case represents a pivotal moment in the discourse on religious rights within government-administered institutions. It underscores the need for inclusive policies that respect religious freedoms.
Sources: PUNCH, Daily Post, TheCable
