Hijab in schools: Lagos orders compliance with Supreme Court judgement

Hakeem Muri-Okunola

Lagos State Government has directed full compliance with the June 17 judgement of the Supreme Court allowing students in schools across the state to wear hijab to classes.

Head of service Hakeem Muri-Okunola, in a circular dated December 5, said there should be compliance with the directive, as it was in line with the decision of the apex court.

The circular read: “It is hereby notified for general information that the Supreme Court Judgement 8C.910/2016 delivered on the 17 of June, 2022 on the use of Hijab as it affects pupils/students in Lagos State schools has declared that students should be allowed to wear the Hijab if desired.

“A comprehensive guideline on the use of Hijab in schools will be issued by the state government in due course. However, you are to note that the judgement is binding on all schools in the state.

“As a law-abiding administration, all accounting officers are to note the contents of this circular for immediate compliance and give it the deserved service-wide publicity.”

Muri-Okunola copied the document to the deputy governor, speaker of the State House of Assembly, chief judge of the state, secretary to the state government, chief of staff to the governor, all commissioners, all permanent secretaries and heads of other statutory departments.