The Digest:
A coalition of Nigerian Muslim women has called on the Federal Government to review the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) uniform policy to better accommodate female corps members who wear the hijab. The appeal was made in Abuja during an event marking the 2026 World Hijab Day. Led by legal practitioner Firdausi Amasa, the group proposed specific modifications, including allowing knee-length hijabs and substituting long white trousers for the compulsory shorts during parades. The coalition also urged the National Assembly to expedite anti-discrimination legislation protecting religious attire.
Key Points:
- The appeal highlights an ongoing tension between standardized national dress codes and the rights to religious expression and cultural identity.
- It places the specific issue of NYSC uniforms within the broader global conversation about inclusivity and accommodation in public institutions.
- Implementing such changes could enhance the sense of belonging and participation for a significant demographic within the national service program.
- The call challenges institutions to move beyond passive tolerance to active accommodation in their policies and practices.
- The timing, on World Hijab Day, strategically links the request to a global movement advocating for understanding and respect for religious dress.
Sources: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Premium Times, Daily Trust
