MUSLIM RIGHTS CONCERN (MURIC)
هيئة حقوق المسلمين
Motto: Dialogue, Not Violence
3rd
July, 2026
PRESS RELEASE:
HIJAB: NEW NYSC UNIFORM
MUST BE DECENT, INCLUSIVE - MURIC
As the
Federal Government reforms the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) and designs a
new uniform for the service, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has reminded the
authorities of the need for decency and inclusiveness in the concept of the new
uniform.
In a
statement issued on Friday, 3rd July, 2026, the Executive Director of the human
rights organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola, called for special uniform
designs for female Muslim corpers. According to him, the new NYSC uniform must
not only accommodate the hijab, it must also project decency and protect the
integrity of Muslim women.
The full
version of the press release reads:
"The
Federal Government has announced its intention to reform the National Youth
Service Corp (NYSC). The reform will also necessitate designing a new uniform
while the role of the military in the service will be drastically reduced (https://punchng.com/fg-reforms-nysc
-replaces-military-leadership-redesigns-uniform/?amp).
"Although
we welcome some aspects of the proposed reform, we call for caution on the
issue of redesigning the NYSC uniform. In particular, we demand the involvement
of at least one notable female Islamic society in the country (e.g. FOMWAN:
Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Nigeria) in the design in order to
cater for the interest of Muslims in the new uniform.
"Such
engagement will save the reformed scheme from unnecessary controversy and undue
ethical bottlenecks. We consider our intervention germane and timely since the
final design has not been made public.
"It
is necessary to give background information for a good understanding of our
position. It is an open secret that the Christian colonial masters were the
ones who designed the school uniforms which are still in use today. But they
only ensured that it was suitable for Christians. No thought was given to the
need to conceptualize a uniform that would be suitable for Muslims. It was
exclusive.
"Unfortunately,
successive Nigerian administriations in post-independence Nigeria paid no
attention to the need to engage the Muslims and integrate them in the
designs.
"Naturally,
this cultural lopsidedness resulted in a clash of cultures with Muslims
demanding adjustments in the design of school uniforms, particularly for the
Muslim female species (https://dailytrust.com/muric-tackles-lagos-govt-over-hijab-ban/).
"The
hijab question has been fought and won to a large extent but it spilled over to
the NYSC uniform which Muslims also considered too westernised (https://guardian.ng/features/ban-on-hijab-muric-faults-dg-of-nysc/).
"A
gale of agitations ensued and NYSC authorities eventually succumbed by
proposing a moderate hijab design for Muslim corpers (https://punchng.com/nysc-approves-white-shoulder-length-hijab-for-corps-members/?amp).
"But
feelers from the new NYSC uniform design which is being expected to accompany
the proposed reforms in NYSC seem to suggest that the concept of the new
uniform has reversed the gains of marginalised Muslims as there is no sign of
an hijab design for the new uniform.
"MURIC
therefore advises stakeholders to carry the Muslims along because only
this will be a true reflection of the diverse cultures that make up the
country. Nigerian Muslims will reject the imposition of any Christian-oriented
uniform for the new reformed NYSC. Neither shall we allow our daughters to be
indecently exposed in the name of a new NYSC uniform.
"We
remind the authorities of the need for inclusiveness in the concept of the new
uniform. We advocate for adequate consultation before the final decision is
made on the new NYSC uniform. The practice of shaving the heads of muslims in
their absence has become anachronistic. We must have a place at the table. A
stitch in time saves nine"
#FG
#NYSCReform
#FemaleMuslimCorpers
#Hijab
#NoToIndecentNYSCUniform
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Founder/Executive Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).
No comments:
Post a Comment