UI International School enforces hijab ban from Monday after Appeal Court verdict

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The International School, University of Ibadan (ISI) has directed all students to comply with its dress code, announcing that the use of hijab and other headscarves with the school uniform will no longer be permitted from Monday, July 6, following the judgment of the Court of Appeal declaring the institution a private school.

In a notice issued to parents and guardians after Friday’s judgment, the school management said all students must comply with its rules and regulations, stressing that no student would be allowed to wear a hijab with the school uniform from Monday.

The notice read: “Following the judgement of the Court of Appeal delivered on Friday, 3 July 2026, declaring The International School, University of Ibadan, a private school, all students are required to comply with the rules and regulations of the School. Accordingly, with effect from Monday, 6 July 2026, no student will be allowed to wear a hijab with the school uniform. Parents and guardians are kindly requested to ensure that their children comply with this directive. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.”

The directive followed Friday’s judgment of the Court of Appeal in Ibadan, which set aside the earlier judgment of the Oyo State High Court that had allowed female Muslim students of the school to wear the hijab as part of their school uniform.

Justice Biobele Georgewill, who delivered the lead judgment and was supported by Justice K.I. Amadi, held that ISI is a private school and not a public institution.

The appellate court further ruled that the Supreme Court’s judgment permitting the use of hijab in public schools applies only to public schools in Lagos State and does not extend to private institutions.

Justice Georgewill also held that the right to freedom of religion is personal and could be waived, noting that the students had accepted the school’s rules, including its dress code, before admission.

He 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. The judgment of the lower court allowing female Muslim students to wear hijab on their school uniforms at ISI, a private school, is set aside.”

Justice Fadawu Umar, however, dissented, maintaining that the appeal lacked merit and should be dismissed.

The dispute began in 2018 when the school prohibited female Muslim students from wearing headscarves as part of the school uniform.

Eleven students, backed by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), challenged the policy at the Oyo State High Court, arguing that it violated their constitutional rights to freedom of religion and freedom from discrimination.

On May 22, 2024, Justice Moshood Ishola ruled in favour of the students, holding that the school was a public institution and that the restriction infringed on their fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

The school subsequently appealed the judgment, resulting in Friday’s decision, which cleared the way for the enforcement of its existing dress code pending any further appeal to the Supreme Court.