The controversy involving the Nigerian Law School, including its Port Harcourt campus, has reignited debate over religious freedom, discrimination and the rights of Muslim women in professional institutions.

The right of Muslim women to wear hijab has once again become a subject of controversy in Nigeria, following reports of alleged restrictions and harassment of female Muslim candidates during the 2026 Nigerian Law School Bar Final Examinations.

The development has attracted reactions from Muslim organisations, human rights advocates and concerned members of the public, with the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) demanding urgent intervention by the Nigerian Law School authorities.

The controversy raises an important question: why should a Muslim woman wearing hijab encounter difficulties while pursuing her professional ambitions in an institution established to train future lawyers?

What happened at the Nigerian Law School?

The controversy emerged as candidates began their Bar Part II Final Examinations on October 31, 2026, across the Nigerian Law School’s seven campuses, including Port Harcourt, Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Yola and Yenagoa.

According to MURIC, several female Muslim candidates were allegedly prevented from entering examination halls because they wore hijab.

The organisation claimed that some candidates were made to wait outside examination halls for extended periods and were only allowed to enter after removing their hijabs.

MURIC’s intervention followed reports that an alleged examination misconduct incident involving a female Muslim student found with an earpod had prompted restrictions affecting other hijab-wearing candidates.

However, the organisation argued that any student found guilty of examination malpractice should face appropriate disciplinary procedures rather than having the alleged misconduct used as justification for restricting other Muslim women.

The organisation maintained that hijab itself was not responsible for any examination offence.

Why is Port Harcourt important in this controversy?

The Port Harcourt campus is one of the Nigerian Law School’s recognised campuses participating in the ongoing Bar examinations.

Its inclusion in the controversy is significant because the debate concerns the treatment of Muslim female candidates across the institution’s campuses.

However, it is important to distinguish between nationwide allegations and individually verified incidents. An eyewitness account by Barrister Firdausa Amasa concerning candidates being asked to remove or rearrange their hijabs was specifically reported at the Bwari campus in Abuja.

There is no independently confirmed evidence in the reports reviewed establishing that the same incident occurred at Port Harcourt.

Nevertheless, the controversy places responsibility on the Law School management to ensure that examination rules and religious accommodation are clearly communicated and consistently implemented across all campuses.

MURIC intervenes, demands suspension of examinations

Reacting to the development, MURIC, through its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, condemned the alleged harassment of female Muslim candidates.

The organisation called for the suspension of examinations across Nigerian Law School campuses pending an investigation into the allegations.

It also demanded that affected candidates who may have suffered examination disruption be given appropriate consideration.

MURIC further threatened peaceful protests across the campuses if its demands were not addressed.

Akintola argued that restricting all hijab-wearing candidates because of the alleged misconduct of an individual would amount to stereotyping and collective punishment.

The organisation also recalled the controversy surrounding Firdausa Amasa, who was initially denied entry into her 2017 Call to Bar ceremony because she refused to remove her hijab.

Amasa was eventually called to the Nigerian Bar in July 2018 after the Body of Benchers approved hijab as acceptable attire for the ceremony.

What does Nigerian law say about wearing hijab?

The Nigerian Constitution provides important protections for religious freedom and equality.

Section 38(1) guarantees every person freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the right to manifest and practise their religious beliefs.

Section 42 also protects Nigerian citizens against discrimination based on religion, among other grounds.

Furthermore, the Supreme Court’s 2022 judgment in Lagos State Government v. Asiyat Abdulkareem affirmed that wearing hijab by Muslim female students is a manifestation and observance of their religion.

The judgment has become an important reference point in Nigeria’s continuing debate over religious freedom in educational institutions.

There is also an important detail in the present controversy: reports published on November 1 indicate that the Nigerian Law School’s own student Code of Conduct recognises black, shoulder-length hijabs and veils as acceptable female attire.

This raises questions about the interpretation and implementation of examination-specific dress requirements.

Should examination security come at the expense of religious freedom?

Examination malpractice is a serious offence, and every educational institution has a responsibility to protect the integrity of its examinations.

Candidates must comply with reasonable security procedures, including identity verification and checks against prohibited electronic devices.

However, examination security and religious freedom do not necessarily have to conflict.

Where there are concerns that a candidate could conceal an electronic device beneath a head covering, appropriate individual security checks can be considered without automatically treating every woman wearing hijab as a potential examination offender.

A clear and consistent procedure would help protect examination integrity while respecting candidates’ religious beliefs.

The alleged misconduct of one individual should not automatically become a burden for an entire group.

A question the Nigerian Law School must answer

The Nigerian Law School is an institution responsible for preparing graduates for a profession built around justice, equality and respect for the rule of law.

Its responsibility therefore extends beyond conducting examinations. It must also demonstrate fairness, consistency and respect for the rights of candidates.

The authorities should clarify the applicable hijab regulations, investigate complaints of harassment and ensure that candidates are not disadvantaged because of their religious attire.

Muslim women should be able to pursue their legal careers without feeling that their religious identity stands in the way of their professional aspirations.

Ultimately, the issue is not whether examination regulations should be respected. They should.

The real question is whether such regulations can be implemented in a way that protects academic integrity without unnecessarily interfering with constitutionally protected religious freedom.

For a country as religiously and culturally diverse as Nigeria, the answer matters far beyond the walls of the Nigerian Law School.