Can Corp Members Wear Skirts To NYSC? This Is What You Should Know

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has long stood as a unifying institution for Nigerian graduates, known for its khaki uniforms, regimented drills, and strict codes of conduct. For many, it is a defining experience; a transition into adulthood and national service. But a recent court ruling has stirred public debate and legal reflection: Can religious convictions override NYSC’s uniform policy?

This question found its way into the courtroom when two former female corps members challenged the scheme’s dress code on the grounds of their Christian faith.

The judgment that followed could redefine how faith and federal policy intersect in Nigeria’s most symbolic youth program.

Why The Corpers Went To Court

Ogunjobi John Blessing and Ayuba Vivian, both former corps members, had one thing in common: their deep Christian conviction that wearing trousers was against their faith.

Citing Deuteronomy 22:5, a Bible verse that discourages women from wearing clothes meant for men, the women refused to wear the compulsory NYSC trousers during their service year. As a result, they were denied their discharge certificates.

Instead of letting the matter slide, they went to the Federal High Court in Abuja, claiming that the NYSC’s dress code violated their rights to religious freedom, human dignity, and protection from discrimination.

Their cases, filed separately in 2020 but heard together because of their similarities, brought an old debate back into public discussion, the clash between uniform rules and personal beliefs.

In June 2025, Justice Hauwa Joseph Yilwa delivered a landmark ruling. She declared NYSC’s refusal to allow the ladies wear skirts as unconstitutional. According to the judgment, forcing the women to wear trousers was a clear breach of their fundamental rights under the 1999 Constitution.

The judge ordered the NYSC to recall both women and issue them their discharge certificates. The court also awarded them 500,000 naira each as compensation for the humiliation they endured.

What Does The NYSC Handbook Say?

For years, NYSC has held tightly to its rule that all female corps members must wear trousers, especially during camp and official activities. The scheme insists that its uniform promotes unity, discipline, and uniformity among Nigeria’s diverse youths. Any deviation, the agency has argued, may disrupt the orderliness and identity the scheme is known for.

In the past, NYSC officials have been quick to dismiss requests for uniform exemptions based on religion, arguing that all participants sign up with full knowledge of the program’s structure. The message has always been clear: NYSC is a structured, secular program and everyone must comply equally.

However, this court ruling is likely to force NYSC to review that stance.

What Does The NYSC Act Say?

The NYSC Act, which guides the operations of the scheme, does not go into great detail about the specific dress code. It speaks generally about discipline, conduct, and the expected behavior of corps members.

The official NYSC handbook and camp guidelines are where uniform rules are explained in detail, including the enforcement of trousers for all female participants.

But here lies the key issue: internal policies like the handbook do not carry more weight than the Nigerian Constitution. When any guideline contradicts constitutional rights, the court has a duty to step in and correct it.

Has This Happened Before?

This is not the first time NYSC has faced legal challenges over its dress code. In 2014, a similar case came up when a Muslim corps member insisted on wearing her hijab with her full uniform. At the time, the matter stirred debate, though it did not lead to a major policy change.

What makes this current case different is that it went all the way to court and was decided in favor of the applicants. The ruling is not just symbolic. It sets a clear legal precedent that NYSC must now respect religious-based exemptions, at least in special cases where the applicant can prove genuine conviction.

Does The Court Have The Right To Intervene In Religious Matters?

This is where many people get confused. Nigeria practices a secular system, so the courts do not get involved in religious doctrine. That means judges won’t rule on what is “right” or “wrong” according to any religion. However, the Constitution gives every citizen the right to practice their faith without fear, pressure, or discrimination.

So, when a government agency, like NYSC, introduces a policy that forces someone to act against their religion, the court is empowered to step in. This is not about religion itself, it’s about protecting the person’s right to religious freedom. In the eyes of the law, no institution, no matter how powerful or old, is allowed to deny that right.

What Next?

The ruling opens up a new chapter in the NYSC’s story. With the court clearly stating that NYSC’s one-size-fits-all uniform policy violates fundamental rights, the scheme may now have to revisit its dress code.

We could see the introduction of official exemptions for religious reasons, just like how health conditions are treated. But this also raises a new set of questions: Will people misuse this? How will NYSC verify genuine religious claims? Will it cause division or confusion in the camps?

For now, what is clear is that the Constitution protects everyone’s right to serve their nation without compromising their deeply held beliefs. Whether in trousers or skirts, every corps member deserves to be treated with respect and dignity.