The Oyo State High Court has ruled that female Muslim students cannot be prevented from wearing the hijab in government-owned public schools across the state, declaring that such restrictions violate their constitutional right to freedom of religion.
Justice Y.S. Adekunle delivered the judgment on Monday in Suit No. I/47/2026, filed by Sumaiya Ayanrinde and four others against the Oyo State Government and three respondents.
The court held that the right of Muslim female students to wear the Islamic head covering extends to all state-owned public schools, including institutions originally established by Christian missionary organisations but now under government ownership.
As part of the judgment, the court directed the Oyo State Government to issue a circular authorising eligible Muslim students to wear the hijab as part of the approved school uniform in public schools. It also granted a perpetual injunction restraining the government and its agencies from enforcing any policy that prohibits the use of the hijab in such schools.
The ruling is the latest judicial pronouncement on the long-running debate over the use of religious attire in educational institutions in Oyo State.
However, the judgment does not extend to privately managed schools. In a separate decision, the Court of Appeal in Ibadan had earlier overturned a 2024 High Court ruling that permitted female Muslim students to wear the hijab at the International School, University of Ibadan (ISI).
The appellate court, in a split 2-1 decision, held that ISI operates as a private institution and is therefore entitled to determine and enforce its own dress code.
Reacting to Monday’s High Court verdict, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) welcomed the decision, describing it as a victory for religious freedom and constitutional rights. The organisation had previously indicated its intention to challenge the Court of Appeal’s decision on the University of Ibadan International School at the Supreme Court.
