The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), Nigeria, has condemned the reported denial of clearance to a female Muslim corps member in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) official, allegedly due to her wearing a knee-length hijab.
In a statement issued, MPAC described the action of the Local Inspector as “unlawful and unacceptable,” citing it as a clear violation of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion and expression.
The group explained that the corps member was initially denied clearance at her local NYSC office, but the issue was quickly resolved following the intervention of the Muslim Corpers’ Association of Nigeria (MCAN), which engaged the relevant NYSC authorities.
“We commend the responsible and timely action of MCAN in restoring the rights of the affected corps member. Their proactive steps underscore the importance of institutional vigilance in defending the religious liberties of Muslim citizens,” said MPAC Executive Chairman, Disu Kamor.
Although the matter has been resolved, Kamor insisted that such incidents are far from isolated. He noted that Muslim female corps members across the country continue to experience “subtle and overt discrimination” for wearing the hijab, which he described as “an essential and non-negotiable aspect of their religious identity.”
Kamor called on the Director-General of the NYSC to issue a formal directive to all state coordinators, zonal officers, and local government inspectors, reminding them of the constitutional rights of corps members, particularly their right to wear religious attire such as the hijab.
“The NYSC, as a federal agency, must model religious tolerance and uphold constitutional provisions,” he said. “No official has the authority to impose unofficial dress codes or act on personal bias.”
He emphasized that the hijab should not be viewed as a symbol of rebellion, but rather as a legitimate expression of faith.
“Denying Muslim females their right to wear it is an affront to Nigeria’s democracy and the founding values of the NYSC—unity in diversity, service with dignity, and respect for all,” Kamor added.
MPAC further pledged to continue monitoring such cases and said it would not hesitate to seek legal or institutional redress in instances where the rights of Muslim citizens are violated.