The Oyo State chapter of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has applauded the judgment of the Oyo State High Court, Iyaganku, Ibadan, affirming the constitutional right of female Muslim students to wear the Islamic hijab in all government-owned public schools across the state.
In a statement issued on Monday by its General Secretary, Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, MURIC described the ruling by Hon. Justice Y. S. Adekunle in Suit No. I/47/2026: Sumaiya Ayanrinde & 4 Ors. v. Governor of Oyo State & 3 Ors. as a landmark decision and a victory for the Constitution, the rule of law, religious freedom and the protection of fundamental human rights.
According to the group, the court held that the directive prohibiting female Muslim students from wearing the hijab in government-owned public schools violated their constitutional rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom from discrimination, as well as their right to education. The court also declared that government-owned schools must remain secular and impartial, regardless of their historical missionary identities.
MURIC particularly commended the court’s directive ordering the Oyo State Government to issue an official circular permitting eligible female Muslim students to wear the hijab as part of their approved school uniform in all government-owned public schools. It also welcomed the perpetual injunction restraining authorities from enforcing the policy that barred the use of hijab.
The organisation congratulated the Muslim parents, guardians and students who pursued the legal action, described their persistence and confidence in the judiciary as commendable. It also praised the legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Barrister Kazeem Gbadamosi, for defending the constitutional rights of Muslim schoolgirls.
MURIC further lauded Hon. Justice Adekunle for what it called a well-reasoned judgment that reinforces public confidence in the judiciary and the supremacy of the Constitution.
The group urged the Oyo State Government to comply fully with the judgment by issuing the necessary directives to education authorities and school administrators, stressing that obedience to valid court orders is essential to democratic governance and the rule of law.
It also appealed to school administrators, teachers, parents and members of the public to accept the judgment peacefully and with tolerance, noting that the decision should not be seen as a victory for one religion over another but as a reaffirmation of every Nigerian’s constitutional right to practise his or her faith without discrimination.
MURIC advised members of the Muslim community in Oyo State to celebrate the judgment responsibly and within the bounds of the law, while expressing gratitude to Allah for what it described as justice after years of perseverance. The group also prayed for continued peace, harmony and religious coexistence in Oyo State and across Nigeria.
