Appeal Court Overturns Hijab Judgment at UI International School
The Court of Appeal in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday, July 3, 2026, dismissed a previous judgment that had allowed female Muslim students to wear the hijab at the University of Ibadan (UI) International School (ISI). The controversy began in November 2018 when some female pupils wore the hijab to the school premises, leading to a legal battle.
Court Ruling: Private School Status Key
In a split decision of two against one, Justices K.I. Amadi and Biobele Georgewill ruled that UI International School is a private institution, not a public school. Justice Georgewill, who read the lead judgment, stated that the female Muslim students had waived their right to wear the hijab by signing an undertaking to abide by the school's rules and regulations. He noted that the Supreme Court's judgment granting the use of hijab applied only to public schools, not private ones.
According to The Cable, Georgewill said: "In public schools, you can wear hijab on school uniforms based on the judgment of the Supreme Court. But the Supreme Court is yet to make any decision on the use of hijab in private schools." He added: "The judgment of the lower court allowing female Muslim students to wear hijab on their school uniforms in ISI, a private school, is set aside."
Background of the Hijab Controversy
The issue began in November 2018 when Muslim female students wore hijab to UI International School, sparking a dispute. Disgruntled Muslim parents took legal action, and the Oyo State High Court initially ruled that the restriction on hijab violated the pupils' rights. However, the school appealed, leading to Friday's appellate court decision.
Public Reactions on Social Media
Following the ruling, many Nigerians took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their opinions. User @Aaabdulghanii wrote: "I wonder why some of you seem to hate Islam so much. Both Muslims and Christians are indigenes of Oyo State, so why should anyone dictate what a Muslim woman is allowed to wear? How is the hijab even an issue?"
@PrinceOksMusic commented: "Let he who wants to go to school, go to school... Religion and Academics have nothing in common.. Nigeria just like issues wey dey massage poverty."
Tosin Bamidele said: "Commendable. Religion and education should never be mixed."
@AdedayoAdeyemi1 posted: "This judge is a comedian. A similar issue that has been adjudicated by the Supreme Court. Is he that naive or overzealous? His judgement will soon be turned onto his face."
Related Hijab Controversies in Nigeria
The hijab issue has been a recurring topic in Nigeria. The Federal Government previously broke its silence on the controversy over Muslim women wearing hijab. The Kwara State government also approved the use of hijab in all public schools. Oyo Muslims have indicated readiness for a legal battle over the hijab controversy. In a separate incident, a hijab-wearing Muslim JAMB candidate was reportedly denied entry to sit the UTME in 2026 at a CBT centre in Ibadan.
