KWSG: Kwara State Reaffirms Hijab Policy Amid 2026 School Reopenings

In early February 2026, Kwara State is notably focused on education as schools reopen following security-related closures. While the hijab policy remains settled law, the administrative faces have changed.

Kwara State Reaffirms Hijab Policy Amid 2026 School Reopenings

The Kwara State Government has reiterated that the use of the hijab remains a fundamental right for willing Muslim schoolgirls in all public and grant-aided schools across the state. This reminder comes as schools statewide officially resumed academic activities on Monday, February 2, 2026, following a brief closure due to security operations.

The administration, now under the educational leadership of Dr. Lawal Olalekan Olohungbebe, has maintained the stance that religious tolerance and the rule of law are the bedrocks of the “State of Harmony.”

The Legal Standing

The government’s position is not a new decree but a reinforcement of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and various Court of Appeal judgments. These legal frameworks establish that:

• Public schools (including those formerly owned by missionaries but now grant-aided) are subject to government policy.

• The use of the headscarf is a manifestation of religious belief protected under the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.

• The policy is voluntary, not mandatory—meaning no student is forced to wear it, but no student can be prevented from doing so.

Security and Peaceful Cohabitation

During a recent stakeholder engagement, the Ministry of Education cautioned that any attempt to disrupt the peace over the hijab issue would be met with legal action. This follows past tensions at institutions like Oyun Baptist High School, Ijagbo, which have since been directed to comply fully with the state’s uniform standards.

“Our focus in 2026 is building community resilience and ensuring our children learn in a safe, inclusive environment,” stated Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development.

Key Stakeholders and Current Leadership

The 2026 educational landscape in Kwara is managed by a team dedicated to performance and inclusivity:

• Executive Governor: Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq

• Commissioner for Education: Dr. Lawal Olalekan Olohungbebe

• Ministry Permanent Secretary: Mrs. Mary Kemi Adeosun

• Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) Chairman: Alhaji Taoheed Abubakar Bello

Representatives from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Muslim Stakeholders, and the National Union of Teachers (NUT) continue to engage in dialogue to ensure that the educational calendar remains uninterrupted by religious friction.

Quick Links for Schools

• Official Kwara State Government Portal: kwarastate.gov.ng

• Ministry of Education Updates: kwaramoc.com.ng

• Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN): trcn.gov.ng