The Court of Appeal in Ibadan has overturned an earlier judgment that permitted students to wear hijab at UI International School.
IBADAN, OYO — The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan has set aside a previous judgment of the Oyo State High Court that allowed female Muslim students to wear hijab at UI International School, a secondary school linked to the University of Ibadan. The appellate court ruled that the earlier Supreme Court decision on the use of hijab applied only to public schools.
According to the court’s decision, UI International School does not fall under the category of public institutions covered by the Supreme Court judgment that permitted the use of hijab in public schools in parts of the country. The appellate court therefore overturned the earlier ruling that granted the request.
The case followed a legal dispute between some parents and the school management over the use of hijab by female Muslim students. The issue had generated public attention and renewed discussions on religious rights and school regulations in Nigeria’s education sector.
The Oyo State High Court had earlier ruled in favour of allowing students to wear hijab in the school. However, the Court of Appeal held that the circumstances surrounding the case differed from those considered by the Supreme Court in its previous judgment on public schools.
The development means the management of UI International School may continue to enforce its existing dress code pending any further legal action. The judgment is also expected to influence future discussions on the application of religious rights and uniform policies in privately managed educational institutions.
