The Federal High Court in Abuja has declared that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) violated the constitutional rights of two female ex-corps members by refusing to allow them to wear skirts instead of trousers during their service year.

 

In a ruling delivered on June 13, 2025, Justice Hauwa Yilwa held that the NYSC’s insistence on trousers as the only acceptable uniform for female corps members infringes on their rights to freedom of religion and human dignity, as guaranteed under Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

 

The case was filed by Miss Ogunjobi Blessing and Miss Ayuba Vivian, who argued that wearing trousers conflicted with their Christian faith, citing Deuteronomy 22:5 which they interpret as prohibiting women from wearing male clothing.

 

The court ruled in favor of the applicants, affirming that NYSC’s policy amounted to religious discrimination and degrading treatment. Justice Yilwa ordered the NYSC to permit female corps members with genuine religious objections to wear skirts, and directed the scheme to recall the affected ex-corps members and issue them their certificates.

 

Although the applicants sought ₦10 million each in compensation, the court awarded ₦500,000 apiece, considering it a fair amount under the circumstances.

 

The judge concluded that the actions of the NYSC were unconstitutional, and emphasized that no citizen should be punished or excluded from national service on account of their religious beliefs.