Muslim Parents Head to Supreme Court as Appeal Court Rules Against Hijab at UI International School
The legal dispute over the use of hijab at the International School, University of Ibadan (ISI), is set to continue after the Muslim Parents Forum of the school announced it would challenge the Court of Appeal’s decision at the Supreme Court.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan had on Friday overturned an earlier judgment of the Oyo State High Court that permitted female Muslim students of the International School, University of Ibadan, to wear hijab as part of the school’s approved uniform.
In a split decision of two to one, the appellate court ruled that the school’s dress code remains valid because ISI is a private school. The court also held that the Supreme Court’s earlier judgment allowing students to wear hijab applies only to public schools and not private institutions.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Biobele Georgewill, with Justice K.I. Amadi concurring, held that students voluntarily accepted the school’s rules and regulations, including its uniform policy, when they enrolled. The court stated that while freedom of religion is a constitutional right, students were bound by the conditions they agreed to upon admission.
Justice Fadawu Umar, however, dissented, maintaining that the appeal lacked merit and that the earlier High Court judgment should have been upheld.
Reacting to the ruling, the Muslim Parents Forum of the International School, Ibadan (ISIMPF), described the judgment as disappointing and confirmed that it has begun the process of appealing to the Supreme Court.
Why It Matters for Children
The case directly affects children attending the International School, University of Ibadan, and could shape future legal decisions on how private schools balance uniform policies with children’s constitutional right to practise their religion.
With the matter now heading to the Supreme Court, the final legal position on whether private schools can restrict the use of hijab as part of their uniform policies is yet to be determined.
