Perception of Female Students Towards Hijab Policies in Public Universities in Lagos State

This study investigates the perceptions of Muslim female students towards hijab policies in selected public universities in Lagos State, South West Nigeria. The legal and institutional debates surrounding the right to wear the hijab in public institutions have intensified in recent years, particularly following landmark court rulings and renewed advocacy by Muslim groups. The study adopts a descriptive survey design, utilising a structured questionnaire administered to 280 Muslim female students in three public universities in Lagos. Focus group discussions were also conducted with 30 students to complement the quantitative data. Analysis was carried out using frequency counts, percentages, and thematic coding. Findings reveal that a majority of respondents view institutionally restrictive hijab policies as an infringement on their religious freedom and identity. Students expressed feelings of marginalisation and psychological distress linked to policy inconsistencies across departments and faculties. The study recommends the harmonisation of hijab policies in Nigerian public universities in line with constitutional provisions on freedom of religion and international human rights standards. University administrations are further urged to engage Muslim student associations in policy review processes. This study provides student-centred evidence for ongoing policy discussions around religious dress codes in Nigerian tertiary institutions. Keywords: hijab policy, Muslim female students, public universities, Lagos State, religious freedom.