The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) must allow female corps members to wear skirts as part of their official uniform if it aligns with their religious beliefs.
Delivered on June 13, 2025, the judgment declared NYSC’s trousers-only policy for female members unconstitutional, violating the right to freedom of religion and human dignity guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution.
The case was brought by two former corps members who challenged the NYSC’s refusal to accommodate skirts, citing their Christian faith, which discourages women from wearing men’s clothing.
The court ordered NYSC to permit skirts for female corps members with genuine religious objections, recall affected corps members, and issue them discharge certificates.
The court awarded ₦500,000 in damages to each applicant for the harassment and degrading treatment they endured.
This landmark ruling marks a significant advancement for religious freedom in Nigeria and is expected to prompt reviews of institutional dress codes, encouraging greater respect for faith-based practices in public service. The NYSC has yet to issue an official response to the court’s directive.
