Hijab Controversy Erupts At Nigerian Law School Over Examination Dress Code

A controversy has emerged at the Nigerian Law School over the enforcement of its dress code during the ongoing Bar Final Examinations, following allegations that female Muslim candidates wearing hijabs were prevented from entering examination halls.

The examinations, which began on October 31, are scheduled to end on November 7, with reports of candidates experiencing difficulties, particularly at the institution’s Bwari Campus in Abuja.

The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, B-Zone, condemned the reported restrictions, describing them as discriminatory and calling for an immediate review of the examination screening arrangements.

The organisation argued that wearing the hijab was an expression of religious identity and should not be treated as examination misconduct or a basis for denying candidates access to examination halls.

Similarly, the Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) Nigeria, through its Executive Chairman, Disu Kamor, said it had received complaints from candidates at the Bwari and Lagos campuses.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) also demanded an investigation into the reported incidents and called for the suspension of the examinations across the Law School’s campuses until the matter was addressed.

Its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, accused examination personnel of harassing and intimidating female Muslim candidates and warned that the organisation could mobilise peaceful protests if its demands were ignored.

However, the Nigerian Law School denied allegations of religious discrimination, insisting that its examination regulations were designed to ensure proper identification, examination security and academic integrity.

In a statement signed by its Secretary to Council and Director of Administration, A.O. Osho, the institution disclosed that a female student wearing a hijab had been apprehended on October 29 after she was allegedly found with an earpiece and a mobile phone strapped to her thigh during the Bar Part I examinations.

The school said the incident was under investigation in accordance with its regulations, adding that examination security measures would be applied fairly without discrimination.

Following interventions by stakeholders and the institution's management, an understanding was reportedly reached allowing female Muslim candidates to wear black, shoulder-length hijabs during the examinations.

However, the Association of Traditional Worshippers in Nigeria questioned the arrangement, arguing that adherents of African Traditional Religion should also be allowed to express their religious identities through traditional attire.

The association maintained that religious accommodation should be applied equally, without discrimination against any faith.

The controversy has revived memories of the 2017 case involving Amasa Firdaus, whose refusal to remove her hijab at a Call to Bar ceremony initially led to her exclusion from the admission list. She was eventually admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 2018 following intervention.

The latest dispute has renewed discussions about religious freedom, institutional dress regulations and the need to balance individual rights with examination security requirements.