MURIC Hails Oyo High Court Judgment Allowing Hijab in Public Schools
The Oyo State chapter of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has hailed the judgment of the High Court of Justice, Iyaganku, Ibadan, which affirmed the constitutional right of female Muslim students to wear the Islamic hijab in all government-owned public schools in the state.
In a statement issued on Monday by the chapter’s General Secretary, Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, MURIC described the ruling as “a resounding victory for constitutionalism, justice, the rule of law and the protection of fundamental human rights guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The judgment was delivered by Hon. Justice Y. S. Adekunle in Suit No. I/47/2026, Sumaiya Ayanrinde & 4 Ors. v. Governor of Oyo State & 3 Ors.
According to MURIC, the court held that the directive prohibiting female Muslim students from wearing hijab in government-owned public schools violated their constitutional rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom from discrimination, and the right to education.
Agunbiade stated that the court further declared that government-owned schools must remain secular and impartial, “irrespective of the historical names borne by such schools.”
He particularly commended the court’s order directing the Oyo State Government to issue an official circular to all public schools permitting eligible female Muslim students to wear the hijab as part of their approved school uniform.
MURIC also welcomed the perpetual injunction restraining further enforcement of the policy, saying it reinforced “the supremacy of the Constitution over discriminatory administrative practices.”
The group congratulated the Muslim parents, guardians and students who pursued the matter through the courts, describing their perseverance and confidence in the judiciary as instrumental to the outcome.
Agunbiade also praised the legal team led by Barrister Kazeem Gbadamosi (SAN) for what he called their diligence in defending the constitutional rights of Muslim schoolgirls.
He urged the Oyo State Government to comply fully with the judgment by issuing the necessary directives to education authorities and school administrators.
“Compliance with valid court orders remains a hallmark of democratic governance and respect for the rule of law,” he said.
The organisation appealed to school administrators, teachers, parents and members of the public to receive the judgment with maturity and tolerance, stressing that it should not be seen as a victory of one religion over another.
“This victory should not be viewed as a triumph of one religion over another but as a reaffirmation of the constitutional rights of every Nigerian to practise his or her religion without fear, intimidation or discrimination,” Agunbiade added.
MURIC further advised the Muslim community in Oyo State to celebrate the judgment peacefully and within the bounds of the law, while expressing gratitude to Allah for what it described as justice after years of perseverance.
