Oyo High Court Set to Rule On Hijab Suit Filed By Muslim Schoolgirls

The Oyo State High Court sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan, is scheduled to deliver judgment on Tuesday, July 14, in a landmark case challenging the use of the Islamic hijab in some government-owned secondary schools across the state.

The suit, marked No. 47/2026, was filed by five Muslim schoolgirls, through their guardians, against the Oyo State Government and relevant education authorities over what they described as the denial of their constitutional right to wear the hijab with their school uniforms.

The defendants in the case include the Governor of Oyo State, the Commissioner for Education, the Attorney-General of Oyo State, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education.

The judgment, expected at 9:00 a.m. in Court 17 of the High Court of Justice, Iyaganku, is anticipated to address key constitutional issues bordering on freedom of religion, fundamental human rights, equality before the law, and religious accommodation in public schools.

Ahead of the ruling, a member of the Oyo State Muslim Community, Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, called on members of the Muslim community to attend the proceedings peacefully and in accordance with the law.

According to him, the case represents a significant legal test of the constitutional rights of Muslim students and deserves to be observed with respect for the judiciary and the rule of law.

He urged intending attendees to remain orderly and comply with all directives from court officials and security agencies throughout the proceedings.

The outcome of the case is expected to have far-reaching implications for the implementation of religious rights and dress policies in public schools across Oyo State.