Hijab in public schools
FG approves hijab for female students in all Unity Colleges, science/technical schools
Federal Government, through the Ministry of Education has approved the use of either the corporate or cape size hijab as part of the school uniform of female Muslim students in all the 112 Federal Unity Colleges, including the Federal Science and Technical Colleges.
The approval contained in a circular released by the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, and dated 1st February 2023, is titled “Use of Corporate/Cape Size Hijab as Part of School Uniform for Female Muslim Students of Federal Unity Colleges.”
The circular has since been forwarded to Principals of all the Federal Unity Colleges across the country.
According to David Adejo, Permanent Secretary of the Education Ministry, ‘the students can use corporate/cape size hijab of their various school uniforms.’
He however cautioned that no student should be compelled to use the corporate/cape size hijab on her uniform against her wish.
“You will recall that the female students have two sets of school uniform which are:
“i. Skirt and blouse (blouse, short or long sleeve as the case may be) with a hat or beret; and
“ii. Trousers and kaftan (kaftan below the knee) and a head tie. Please be guided accordingly,” the circular read.
Approval for hijab in public schools has remained contentious and has caused rancour in states across the country, including Lagos and Osun, in recent times.
