The Court of Appeal in Ibadan has overturned an earlier High Court ruling that allowed female Muslim students of the University of Ibadan International School (ISI) to wear hijab with their school uniforms.
The judgment was delivered on Friday in an appeal filed by the school’s management against the Oyo State High Court’s decision of May 22, 2024.
The legal dispute began after 11 Muslim female students sued the school, claiming their fundamental rights were violated when they were stopped from wearing the hijab as part of the school uniform.
In a split 2–1 decision, the appellate court ruled in favour of the school and set aside the earlier judgment.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Biobele Georgewill, supported by Justice K.I. Amadi, held that the University of Ibadan International School is a private institution and should not be treated in the same manner as public schools covered by an earlier Supreme Court ruling.
