* Wear your Hijab with confidence, Don’t tuck it in: Hajia Tijani tells students
* Barrister Oyefeso seeks male support in Hijab advocacy
* Event highlights the struggles of Muslim women with disabilities
The Director of the Hijab Rights Advocacy Initiative (HRAI) and Convener of the Coalition of Nigerian Muslim Women, Hajia Mutiat Orolu-Balogun, has declared that the hijab has come to stay in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
She made the assertion on Sunday during a symbolic walk by thousands of Muslim women, professionals, entrepreneurs, and students from secondary and tertiary institutions to commemorate World Hijab Day 2026 in Lagos.
The walk commenced at Allen Roundabout, Ikeja, and proceeded to the Alausa Secretariat Central Mosque, covering a distance of about 12 kilometres.
Participants marched in organized batches along the roadside without disrupting traffic. As they proceeded, the women chanted nasheeds and carried placards with messages such as ‘My Hijab, My Rights,’ ‘Hijab in Unity,’ ‘One Sisterhood,’ ‘My Hijab: A Cloth of Strength,’ ‘My Hijab: The Highest Form of Civilization,’ and ‘Hijab is My Bae: Jannah is the Goal,’ highlighting the religious significance, legal recognition, and constitutional protection of the hijab.
The messages also served as a strong protest against harassment and discrimination faced by Muslim women and students, particularly in government-owned schools.
The walk attracted representatives of several Muslim organisations, including the Hijab Rights Advocacy Initiative, Nasrullahi Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), Al-Mu’minaat (The Believing Women), Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Lagos State Area Unit, Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) Lagos, Criterion Lagos District, among others.
The event culminated at the Alausa Secretariat Central Mosque, where the main hall was filled to capacity, with thousands of participants seated outside listening via loudspeakers.
The programme, themed “Unity in Hijab” and locally framed as “One Sisterhood,” emphasised solidarity, inclusivity, and sustained advocacy for hijab rights across Nigeria.
Hijab is a right protected by law and faith: Orolu-Balogun
In her address, Hajia Orolu-Balogun, welcomed participants, affirming that Muslim women had united to defend their faith and identity.
“Wearing the hijab is a right granted by Allah and protected by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” she said, urging women to freely express their beliefs, conscience, and religion.
She noted that the event was not only a celebration of the hijab but also an opportunity to amplify the voices of Muslim sisters across the Ummah, including visually impaired and Igbo Muslim women. “We are one Ummah,” she said. “Whatever affects one member affects all of us.”
Hajia Orolu-Balogun also delivered a firm message to those who may seek to intimidate or discriminate against Muslim women. “The hijab has come to stay in Nigeria. We shall not back down. Muslim women will continue to assert their rights and will not retreat in the face of challenges,” she declared.
Wear your Hijab with confidence, don’t tuck it in: Amirah MSSN Lagos tells students
Hajia Rofiat Tijani, Amirah of MSSN Lagos, encouraged female students to wear the hijab confidently in schools, warning against tucking it in, which she said defeats its purpose.
She explained that tucking in the hijab defeats its purpose and is contrary to both the Supreme Court rulings and established regulations regarding hijab in Nigerian schools.
Hajia Tijani noted that the Lagos State Government now permits badges to be placed on the hijab instead of requiring it to be tucked in, a directive applicable to all public schools in the state.
She reminded teachers and school principals that they are bound by these regulations and must respect the students’ rights.
Amirah MSSN Lagos also encouraged Muslim girls to speak up and defend their rights confidently, emphasizing the importance of standing firm in the practice of their faith.
Barrister Oyefeso seeks male support in Hijab advocacy
Barrister Musibau Oyefeso, Aare Musulumi Adinni of Ijebuland, joined the walk alongside a few male supporters, lending moral encouragement to thousands of Muslim women and girls participating in the annual event.
Speaking with Muslim News, Barrister Oyefeso emphasized that the hijab is both a constitutional right and a religious obligation for Muslim women and girls, firmly established in the Quran.
He commended the Supreme Court for confirming this injunction, citing recent progress that now allows female law students to wear hijab even before donning their wigs, a change achieved through the persistent advocacy of Muslim women such as Firdaus Amasa.
Commenting on proposed regulations for secondary school students in Lagos, Barrister Oyefeso said such policies must align with religious injunctions. He added that measures like placing a badge on the hijab are acceptable, while requiring students to tuck in or reduce the hijab would be inappropriate.
“At the end, this approach will be a win-win for everyone,” he said, urging the government to encourage such initiatives without compromising children’s right to education.
Barrister Oyefeso, who was the former National President of The Companion, described the walk as not only a platform for raising awareness about hijab rights but also as a healthy exercise promoting well-being.
He highlighted that the march from Allen Roundabout to Alausa Secretariat allowed participants to educate both Muslim and non-Muslim passersby about the mandatory nature of hijab.
The former Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) commissioner also called on Muslim men to actively support the cause, stressing that even if for no other reason, they should advocate for hijab rights for the sake of their daughters and wives.
“Hijab is not easy to observe if girls are not educated about it from childhood,” he noted, urging families and communities to play their part in sustaining the practice.
Barrister Oyefeso concluded by congratulating Muslim women for their solidarity and determination, describing their massive turnout as a powerful statement of unity, faith, and empowerment.
Amirah Criterion encourages Muslim women to excel professionally while observing Hijab
Hajia Maryam Saba, the Ameerah Criterion (an Association of Muslim women in business and the professions), Lagos State Branch, urged Muslim women to embrace their professional ambitions without compromising their faith.
Thanking Allah for preserving them to witness another Hijab Day, she encouraged professional women to aim for the peak of their careers while proudly wearing the hijab.
“I am an ICAN member, and whenever I attend conferences, I am always inspired to see our sisters in different styles of hijab,” she said.
“Being a professional does not mean you cannot wear your hijab. Even as a businesswoman, you should adorn your hijab and stand out.”
Addressing secondary school students, Hajia Saba urged them to understand the purpose of their advocacy. She advised, “To fight for our rights, we must know what we are standing for. We need to stand out by being punctual, dressing neatly, maintaining good morals, excelling academically, and presenting ourselves well. Let them see the Islam in us so that we can earn respect.”
Visually impaired lawyer Kifayah Orilowo highlights ‘Hijab of Character’
The event also highlighted the struggles of Muslim women with disabilities. Barrister Kifayah Orilowo, a visually impaired state counsel at the Lagos Ministry of Justice currently serving at Agege Magistrate Court, shared a powerful testimony, highlighting the struggles of Muslim women with disabilities in observing hijab.
Orilowo, who lost her sight 15 years ago at the age of 26, described her hijab as a trial from Allah that strengthened her faith. She emphasized that wearing the hijab goes beyond clothing: it is about covering the heart, maintaining character, and living according to Islamic principles.
“You might be fully covered physically, but if you do not cover your character, it is a pure waste of time,” she said, calling on Muslim women to focus on the “hijab of character” as much as the physical covering.
She recounted challenges faced by Muslim women with disabilities, particularly in educational settings, where some are pressured to remove their hijab in exchange for material support offered by Christian institutions.
She said, “While these offers are made, where are our Muslim sisters and brothers? Any Muslim hijabi who removes her hijab under pressure is not at fault alone, we have all failed to support them. Allah instills hijab in our hearts; it is our duty as Muslims to assist one another.”
Orilowo urged the community to prioritize inclusion and support for Muslim women with disabilities, stressing the importance of being good to others and upholding the principles of Islam in daily life.
Anifa Sadu shares inspiring journey of resilience and faith
Anifa Sadu, one of the participants and speakers at the event, shared her remarkable story of resilience as a Muslim woman with a disability. At the age of three, she fell ill with malaria and, after receiving treatment, began experiencing mobility challenges that eventually left her unable to walk.
“My parents were confused and worried about my development. I had to attend daily physiotherapy sessions, and my father gave me special attention as the first of five children. Alhamdulillah, I earned my first degree at 19,” Sadu recounted.
Sadu also highlighted challenges faced by Muslim students in predominantly Christian institutions. During her first degree at Bowen University, she said she was pressured to convert to Christianity in exchange for support, but her faith and the mentorship of a sister, Hajia Lateefah Ibrahim, involved with students work at MSSN helped her remain steadfast.
“Alhamdulillah, I am able to work, though my mobility may still be limited, and I know many others are not as fortunate. This is why we must support Muslim women with disabilities and ensure they are included in our community,” she said.
Other organisations including Pure Heart Islamic Foundation, An Nujabau Female Forum, Izharul Haq Movement of Nigeria, International Muslim Women Union, Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria, Lagos Secretariat Community Central Mosque, Muslim Public Affairs Center, Akhwaat Muslimat Organization Lagos, Muslim Rights Concern, Guild of Muslim Professionals, Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria, Pristine Cactus Foundation and Women in Dawah.
The Lagos walk coincided with the global World Hijab Day, celebrated in over 150 countries on February 1, promoting awareness, respect, and tolerance for Muslim women who choose to wear the hijab.
The organisers called for continued advocacy and inclusivity, reinforcing the theme of “One Sisterhood” and demonstrating the resilience, unity, and empowerment of Muslim women across Nigeria.
Other faces at the event
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