Court Overturns Hijab Ruling at University of Ibadan

On Friday, the Court of Appeal in Ibadan delivered a split judgment regarding the hijab policy at the University of Ibadan's International School. The court overturned an earlier ruling by Justice Moshood Ishola of the Oyo State High Court, which had permitted Muslim students to wear hijabs as part of their school uniform.

The appellate court's decision, led by Justice Biobel Georgewil and with Justice K. Amadi concurring, stated that the school is a private institution and thus not governed by the Supreme Court's decision allowing hijabs in public schools.

The court emphasized that students at private institutions must adhere to the school's rules, including dress codes. Justice Fadawu Umar dissented, arguing that the appeal lacked merit and should have been dismissed.

The dispute over the hijab policy began in 2018 when Muslim students challenged the school's prohibition, which was initially ruled in their favor by the Oyo State High Court in 2022.