By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) must permit female corps members to wear skirts in observance of their religious beliefs, declaring the agency’s previous refusal unconstitutional and a violation of fundamental rights.
In a judgement delivered on June 13, 2025, and sighted on Sunday, Justice Hauwa Yilwa held that the NYSC’s enforcement of trousers as the only uniform option for female corps members infringed upon constitutionally protected rights to freedom of religion and human dignity.
The judgement followed two consolidated suits filed separately by former corps members Miss Ogunjobi Blessing and Miss Ayuba Vivian.
Both women argued that being compelled to wear trousers violated their Christian faith, citing Deuteronomy 22:5, which they interpret as prohibiting women from wearing male clothing.
In the suits marked FHC/ABJ/CS/989/2020 and FHC/ABJ/CS/988/2020, the applicants sought the enforcement of their rights, naming the National Youth Service Corps and its Director-General as respondents.
They relied on multiple legal provisions, including Sections 38 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and relevant articles of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Among the reliefs sought were:
“A declaration that the refusal of the NYSC to recognise and allow skirts as part of the NYSC uniform constitutes a breach of the applicant’s right under Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as Deuteronomy 22:5 of the Bible, and a misinterpretation of Schedule 2, Article 1(I)(a) of the NYSC Bye-Laws 1993.
“A declaration that the use of skirts by the applicant in the NYSC scheme forms part of her fundamental rights to freedom of religion and to manifest the same in practice and observance as provided for in Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“A declaration that the harassment, embarrassment, and humiliation suffered by the applicant at the hands of NYSC officials constitute a clear infringement of her rights to freedom of religion and to manifest same in practice, as well as the right to human dignity and protection from degrading treatment.
“An order compelling the respondents, their servants, agents, privies, or anyone acting on their behalf, to recognise, allow, and provide skirts for the applicant or any female corps member wishing to wear same in accordance with Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Deuteronomy 22:5”.
The applicants also demanded ₦10 million in damages and any other reliefs the court deemed fit.
In her ruling, Justice Yilwa granted all the reliefs sought and delivered identical orders in both cases.
“A declaration that the refusal to allow skirts for religious purposes is unconstitutional.
“An order mandating the NYSC to recognise and permit the use of skirts for female corps members with genuine religious objections.
“A directive compelling the NYSC to recall the affected former corps members and issue their certificates accordingly,” the court stated.
The court also held that the harassment, embarrassment, and humiliation suffered by the applicants amounted to a clear infringement of their fundamental rights.
Justice Yilwa awarded ₦500,000 in damages to each applicant, rejecting the initial ₦10 million claim but ruling that the amount awarded was adequate.
“The actions of the respondents resulted in the applicants being embarrassed and humiliated.
“This is a blatant infringement of their fundamental rights,” Justice Yilwa stated.