Nigeria: Muric Demands Suspension of Law School Exams Over Hijab Ban, Threatens Protest

What the report says

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has asked for examinations at all Nigerian Law School campuses to be suspended after alleging that female Muslim candidates wearing hijab were harassed, intimidated and kept out of examination halls. The claim, reported by Daily Trust and distributed by AllAfrica, centers on final examinations for applicants seeking admission to the Nigerian Bar held on Saturday, October 31, 2026.

According to MURIC, some candidates were allegedly told to wait outside for about an hour and were only admitted after removing their headscarves. The group said it received calls and messages from distressed students, parents and other concerned Muslims during the incident. MURIC’s founder and executive director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said the organisation viewed the alleged treatment as a violation of the students’ rights and demanded an investigation.

MURIC also warned that it could mobilise peaceful protests across Law School campuses nationwide if its demands are not met. The Nigerian Law School had not commented on the allegations at the time of publication. In its statement, MURIC cited constitutional protections for religion, dignity and freedom from discrimination, and referred to a 2022 Supreme Court ruling it said supported the right to wear hijab. The issue matters because it touches on religious freedom and access to professional legal training in Nigeria.