Appeal Court lifts ban on Hijab in Lagos public schools

In a unanimous decision, the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos on Thursday ruled that students in public primary and secondary schools in Lagos State can wear Hijab (Muslims headscarf) with their school uniforms.

A Lagos High Court had earlier given judgment banning them from doing so.

The Appeal Court panel was presided over by Justice A B Gumel and it held that the appeal had merit and that Muslim students should be allowed to wear Hijab.

Justice Gumel held that the use of hijab is an Islamic injunction and also an Act of worship, hence it will constitute a violation of the appellants’ rights to exercise their faith.

The judgment was greeted by wild jubilations among Muslims who were in court to witness the case. The Lagos state government, through its Commission for Information, Steve Ayorinde, however, said it was studying the judgment.

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