A group known as the “Serve With Skirts Movement” protested against the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) authorities, on Thursday, 17th January, demanding the inclusion of skirts in the ancient uniform.

Leading the protest were some young men who had young women dressed in Khaki skirts carrying banners with inscriptions like “there is a difference between the world and the daughters of God,” “our sisters cannot dress like men,” and another showing how corpers were dressed in 1976.

Speaking to newsmen, leader of the group Udochi Emmanuel stated that being harassed for wearing skirts in NYSC orientation camps breached their fundamental human rights under Section 38(1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Udochi also stated that wearing of trousers has led to increased level of immorality in NYSC orientation camps. She said;

“We had our mothers wearing skirts and we want to go back to that.”

“We have asked for exemption (sic) severally. NYSC has not given that as an option, they have made it a compulsory one-year service for everyone below the age of 30 and they are mandated to wear those clothes.”

“We have already started negotiations (with government) and we hope that from this dialogue we will get a favourable response.”

She also disclosed that they will seek redress in court if they don’t get what they want.

Picking from random comments, many agreed with Udochi based on Fundamental Human Rights but many others have told her to also consider Equity.

I support human rights and equality but it should be put in context. For example you cannot distribute bras and menstrual pads to men and women in the name of equality simply because men do not need them. The nature of NYSC camp activities requires men and women to be in trousers. Can these women ask to wear skirts when involved in field activities if they were in the military? If our female police officers go out on the street would they be suspects and jumping gutters and fences in skirts? Common? People have to be dressed for the job.

Lolz. NYSC is a compulsory paramilitary service for all Nigerian youth after Tertiary Education. I’m not saying we don’t have women wearing skirts in the police and force… but it is limited by the policies… I once had a lady friend who was a skirt freak but one day she was coming down the stairs and looked up only to see one of her colleagues coming in skirts too and lo and behold she could see her factory under the skirt. That was her last day wearing skirt. But lets go back to NYSC… if the Regulatory Body says No, then It’s a NO. Remember NYSC is under Nigerian Military. Don’t waste your time protesting… it won’t work, it won’t go far.

It’s not by force to serve that’s why we have exemptions, how does trouser cause immorality sef smh, and to think that the leader of the protest is a guy, anyway good luck to you guys

Here are more photos below: