By Adenike Lawal
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has declared the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) policy prohibiting female corps members from wearing skirts as unconstitutional and discriminatory. The landmark ruling effectively strikes down a decades-long directive, affirming the fundamental rights of corps members.
Delivering judgment in the case on Thursday, July 24, 2025, Justice Hauwa Joseph Yilwa ruled that the NYSC’s insistence on trousers as the sole uniform option for women violates the fundamental rights to human dignity and freedom of religion, as enshrined in Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Justice Yilwa also referenced Deuteronomy 22:5 in the Bible to buttress her position on religious freedom.
The ruling stemmed from two separate lawsuits filed by former corps members, Ogunjobi John Blessing and Ayuba Vivian, who were both denied their NYSC discharge certificates after refusing to wear trousers due to their religious convictions. The court consolidated both cases for joint consideration.
In her judgment, Justice Yilwa unequivocally condemned the NYSC’s actions as unlawful and ordered the agency to pay ₦10 million in damages to the plaintiffs.
Ayuba Vivian, a 2018 Microbiology graduate from Kaduna State University, was posted to Zamfara State for her mandatory one-year national service. She declined to wear the trousers issued by the NYSC, citing deeply held religious beliefs, which subsequently led to the withholding of her certificate.
NYSC officials had argued during the proceedings that all corps members are required to comply with the service’s code of conduct, which includes a uniform dress code intended to maintain order and discipline. However, the court firmly held that such administrative policies must not override constitutionally protected rights.
This judgment marks a significant precedent, opening the door for faith-based expressions to be acknowledged within the NYSC scheme. It also serves as a strong affirmation that participation in national service must not come at the expense of constitutional liberties and individual freedoms.
