Justice Hauwa Yilwa, in a judgment delivered on June 13, 2025, but sighted on Sunday, July 27, declared the NYSC’s refusal to permit skirts unconstitutional and a violation of fundamental rights.
The ruling came after two former corps members, Miss Ogunjobi Blessing and Miss Ayuba Vivian, challenged the NYSC in court, claiming that being forced to wear trousers conflicted with their Christian beliefs.
Both women cited Deuteronomy 22:5, which they interpreted as prohibiting women from wearing male clothing.
In the consolidated suits marked FHC/ABJ/CS/989/2020 and FHC/ABJ/CS/988/2020, the applicants argued that the NYSC’s dress code infringed on their rights to freedom of religion, human dignity, and protection from degrading treatment.
