Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos State has issued guidelines on the use of hijab in all government-owned schools – a move that will finally put to rest the decade-long discrimination and harassment against Muslim female students.
The guidelines, which outline the dos and don’ts on the use of hijab in Lagos schools, was contained in a statement issued on Thursday, February 9, by the State Head of Service, Hakeem Muri Okunola.
Muslim News gathered that the statement is sequel to the government’s earlier circular, directing all school principals and administrators in Lagos State to abide by the supreme court judgement allowing female muslim students to use hijab.
The state government noted in the latest circular with reference no CIR/HOS/’23/Vol.1/016 that the guidelines becomes necessary to steer seamless use of the hijab in the state schools.
The head of service therefore warned that any principal or administrator that contravenes or violates the instruction shall be made to face disciplinary action in accordance to the extant rules and regulations.
The statement reads, in part, “The use of the hijab must be voluntary (no student should be compelled to use hijab against her will); The length of the hijab must be below the bust; It must be the colour of the approved school uniform; It must be a simple and plain colour that matches the school uniform.
“It must be smart, neat and devoid of inscriptions, markings, decorative designs, stones or any attached rope; It must bear the school badge and be in the same spot assigned for badges on the school uniform, and the hijab must show the outline of the face showing the face (eyes, nose and mouth).
Accordingly the accounting officers of state schools should ensure that the guidelines are strictly adhered to and any school principal who deviates from these guidelines as specified above shall face appropriate disciplinary action in line with extant rules and regulations.”
Timeline:
Friday, June 17: The Supreme Court of Nigeria affirmed the rights of Muslims female students in Lagos state to wear hijab to school without harassment or discrimination. In a majority decision, Nigeria’s apex court gave the ruling in Abuja.
Monday, December 5: The Lagos State government finally issued a circular ordering school administrators and principals to allow Muslim students to wear the hijab in all state-owned schools after some schools violated the supreme court judgement and still molested female Muslim students.
Thursday, February 9: Lagos State government released guidelines on the use of hijab in all government-owned schools.
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