Court of Appeal Overturns Hijab Ruling at University of Ibadan International School
The Court of Appeal has overturned a lower court's decision allowing Muslim students to wear hijabs at the University of Ibadan International School, reinstating the school's ban on religious attire.
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The Court of Appeal has overturned a previous judgment that permitted Muslim students to wear hijabs at the University of Ibadan International School, reinstating the ban on religious head coverings in the institution.
The ruling, reported by Legit.ng on July 3, 2026, has drawn public attention and sparked reactions across Nigeria. The earlier decision had allowed Muslim female students to wear the hijab as part of their school uniform, but the appellate court's reversal has reignited debate over religious expression in private educational institutions.
According to Vanguard News, the Court of Appeal upheld the school’s authority to enforce dress codes that prohibit hijabs. The report cited legal distinctions between public and private schools, noting that while public school students may wear hijabs, the Supreme Court has not issued a definitive ruling on religious attire in private schools.
The judgment underscores ongoing legal and societal tensions regarding religious freedom and institutional autonomy in Nigeria’s education system. The University of Ibadan International School, a private institution, maintains that its uniform policy is secular and applies equally to all students, regardless of faith.
No further appeal timeline or official statement from the school was provided in the sources. The Supreme Court remains the only judicial body that could potentially settle the legal question definitively, should a case be brought before it.