The Jigawa State Government has authorized female security personnel to wear hijabs while on duty, marking a significant policy shift for religious accommodation in the workplace. State Commissioner for Information Sagir Musa announced the decision following Tuesday’s Executive Council meeting in Dutse, affecting three private security firms contracted to protect schools, hospitals and courts.
The new directive covers 9,969 recently recruited youth working in the state’s security sector, allowing Muslim women to maintain their religious dress code during official assignments. “This empowers female operatives to practice their beliefs without restriction while boosting their morale,” Musa explained during a press briefing. The policy stems from recommendations by the Council Committee on Institutional Security after reviewing uniform regulations.
Religious and women’s groups have welcomed the move as progressive, though some observers question its potential impact on standardized security uniforms. The administration maintains the change reflects its commitment to inclusive workplace policies that respect cultural and religious diversity.
This development comes amid ongoing national conversations about balancing religious expression with professional dress codes, particularly in northern states where such accommodations increasingly feature in public sector employment policies. The state government confirmed the hijab approval took immediate effect for all contracted security personnel.
