Oyo High Court Upholds Muslim Students Right to Wear Hijab in Public Schools

The Oyo State High Court sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan, has affirmed the constitutional right of female Muslim students to wear the Islamic hijab in all government-owned public schools across the state, including schools with missionary origins.

The judgment was delivered by Hon. Justice Y. S. Adekunle in Suit No. I/47/2026: Sumaiya Ayanrinde & 4 Others v. Governor of Oyo State & 3 Others.

In the ruling, the court held that the directive prohibiting female Muslim students from wearing the hijab in government-owned public schools violated their fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Justice Adekunle ruled that the policy infringed on the students’ rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom from discrimination, and access to education.

The court further declared that government-owned schools must remain secular, impartial and free from religious bias, regardless of the historical names or missionary backgrounds of such institutions.

As part of the judgment, the court ordered the Oyo State Government to issue an official circular to all government-owned public schools, permitting eligible female Muslim students to wear the hijab as part of their approved school uniform.

Justice Adekunle also granted a perpetual injunction restraining the state government and its agents from further enforcing any policy that prevents female Muslim students from wearing the hijab in public schools.

Reacting to the judgment, the Oyo State chapter of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) described the ruling as a landmark victory for constitutionalism, the rule of law and the protection of fundamental human rights.

In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, MURIC commended the court for what it called a well-considered judgment that strengthens public confidence in the judiciary.

The organisation also congratulated the Muslim parents, guardians and students who pursued the case through lawful means, as well as the legal team led by Barrister Kazeem Gbadamosi, SAN.

MURIC urged the Oyo State Government to comply fully and without delay with the court’s directives by issuing the necessary instructions to education authorities and school administrators across the state.