The President of the Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN), Professor Ibrahim Oreagba, has restated the rights of Muslim students to use hijab at Nursing schools across Nigerian universities.
Prof Oreagba emphasised that the use of the hijab by Muslims is a constitutionally guaranteed right and fully approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
IMAN President made the remarks on Thursday after the National Executive Committee Meeting of the Association, citing the recent cases of discrimination against Muslims who choose to wear the hijab at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan and across the country.
Prof. Oreagba said, “Around December 2024, we received numerous complaints from Muslim sisters, their families, and others across the country. In many universities and colleges, Muslim students were being denied the right to wear the hijab. Beyond that, some institutions were even imposing mini-skirts as part of the nursing uniform.
“As we know, Islam prohibits wearing such attire. Muslim nurses requested to wear long skirts for modesty, but those requests were denied in favour of short and ludicrous skirts.”
He revealed that several Muslim organizations, including the Islamic Medical Association at both national and local levels rallied at the time to protest the infringement on Muslim women’s rights in both academic and healthcare settings.
According to Prof. Oreagba, “Just recently, I was informed that some teaching hospitals and medical colleges are still engaged in the persecution of Muslim female students. These sisters are being oppressed and witch-hunted simply for adhering to their religious obligations. This must stop. We are using this medium to reiterate that no Muslim student or professional nurse should ever be compelled to remove her hijab or forced to wear a uniform that goes against her faith.”
He stressed that the rights of Muslim nurses to observe hijab—consistent with Islamic teachings and Nursing Council regulations—must be respected at all levels of professional training and practice.
Referring to the 2022 internal memo issued by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Prof. Oreagba said, “Professor Rabah and others have pointed to the Council’s official code of conduct and policies. In 2022, when hijab discrimination reached its peak, the Council released a circular allowing Muslim nurses to wear the hijab—as long as it is shoulder-length and conforms with professional standards. This directive must be honoured by all institutions.”
He further warned that failure to comply with these guidelines is not only a violation of professional policy but also a breach of constitutional rights.
Oreagba, therefore, encouraged Muslim students not to be intimidated: “Muslim students must remember that hijab is not a fashion statement; it is a divine command from Allah. They should fear Allah, not those pressuring them to remove it. No one should be discouraged from studying nursing or any healthcare-related field because the Ummah needs them. They must remain firm and continue to stand for their rights.”
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