The High Court of Justice sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan, has reaffirmed the constitutional right of eligible Muslim female students to wear the hijab in government-owned public schools across Oyo State, including schools with missionary heritage.
The ruling was delivered on 20 July 2026 by Justice Y. S. Adekunle.
According to the judgment, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria remains the supreme law of the land, and no school policy, custom, tradition, or administrative directive can override the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
The court held that Muslim female students are entitled to practise and manifest their religious beliefs by wearing the hijab in public educational institutions.
Justice Adekunle ruled that the right is protected under the constitutional provisions guaranteeing freedom of religion, equality before the law, and protection from discrimination.
The judgment reinforces previous judicial decisions on the issue, including similar rulings delivered by courts in Osun State concerning the use of the hijab in public schools.
Legal observers have described the decision as a significant affirmation of constitutional supremacy and the protection of fundamental human rights, noting that it underscores the principle that administrative policies or long-standing practices cannot override rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
The latest ruling is expected to have implications for the implementation of dress code policies in government-owned schools across Oyo State and could further shape discussions on religious freedom in Nigeria’s education sector.
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