A coalition of Nigerian Muslim women has called on the Federal Government to urgently review the uniform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to ensure adequate inclusion of Muslim female corps members, particularly those who observe the hijab.
The call was made on Saturday in Abuja by Firdausi Amasa, a member of the coalition, during a news briefing organised to mark the 2026 World Hijab Day, observed annually on February 1 and themed “#UnityInHijab.”
Speaking at the event, Amasa noted that World Hijab Day, since its inception, has expanded to impact lives in over 190 countries, including Nigeria, by promoting understanding, tolerance, and unity across cultural and religious divides.
She criticised the current NYSC uniform policy, describing it as inadequate and exclusionary for Muslim female corps members. According to her, the existing dress code does not sufficiently accommodate religious obligations, thereby placing Muslim women at a disadvantage during national service.
“We propose that Muslim female corps members be allowed to wear a knee-length hijab. In addition, they should be exempted from the compulsory use of shorts during parade and instead permitted to wear long, free, white trousers,” Amasa said.
The legal practitioner further urged the National Assembly to fast-track the passage of pending bills aimed at protecting Nigerians from discrimination based on faith or physical appearance, stressing that such laws would reinforce the country’s constitutional commitment to justice and equity.
She also called for increased societal support for female Muslim reverts who choose to wear the hijab, noting that many face hostility or rejection from family members and their communities.
Beyond policy reforms, Amasa advocated the establishment of community-driven initiatives to empower hijab-wearing women through mentorship, skills acquisition, and leadership development programmes.
“The hijab should be seen as a symbol of empowerment, not restriction. It represents identity, values, and inclusivity, and this must be acknowledged by individuals, institutions, and leaders,” she said.
The coalition further appealed to government agencies, schools, and private establishments to adopt inclusive practices that respect religious expression. Amasa emphasised the need for strict accountability mechanisms to address reported cases of harassment or discrimination against hijab-wearing individuals.
She urged educational institutions to comply with constitutional provisions and existing judicial pronouncements, particularly decisions of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which affirm the right of female Muslims to wear the hijab.
“This is necessary to prevent avoidable litigation over rights that have already been clearly established,” she added.
On her part, Zainab Umar commended the Federal Ministry of Education, the NYSC, the Council of Legal Education, the Supreme Court, as well as the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Nigerian Police, for what she described as their growing support for the rights and inclusion of Muslim women.