Muslim body slams ‘Hijab Ban on Nurses’ in Nigeria town

A Muslim advocacy group has slammed the maltreatment of hijab-wearing female nurses at government hospitals in southwest Nigeria. 

A Muslim advocacy group has slammed the maltreatment of hijab-wearing female nurses at government hospitals in southwest Nigeria. 

Muslim nurses, especially those who work at a psychiatric clinic in southwestern Abeokuta town, are reportedly being barred from their wards because of their head coverings.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) said in a statement on Tuesday that authorities at the psychiatric hospital had repeatedly ignored calls to allow Muslim nurses to wear their hijab as allowed under the country’s law and a government circular.

The group said the hospital management denied knowledge of a government circular dated February 11, 2002, which asserted that any female Muslim nurse who desires to use the hijab be allowed to do so.

The circular had been issued by the Nigerian Midwife and Nursing Council, a statutory body established by the government.