Friday, September 18, 2026 - A Nigerian lady, Anyama Faith, has shared that she wore a
skirt during her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program because her
religious beliefs consider wearing trousers as a woman to be a sin.
In a Facebook post, she explained how she sought permission
from the camp director and NYSC state coordination to wear skirt but they tried
to get her to change her mind.
The Coordinator offered her two choices: stay in camp
without joining activities or take an exit permit, alter her trousers into a
skirt, and return for her posting letter.
She chose the latter and left the camp temporary after
writing a letter to the Director-General.
She disclosed that wearing a skirt brought frustration and
discouragement from people but she stayed firm with constant prayer and
encouragement from pastor and church brethren.
“HOW I
SERVED WITH SKIRT. I’ve lost count of the number of people who have asked me
how I was able to serve with a skirt, seeing that NYSC has made it mandatory
for everyone to serve in trousers, irrespective of their gender,” she wrote.
Let’s get into the story. I, Faith, believe that wearing trousers as a woman is a sin. So, I took it to God in prayer. My prayer was simple:
“God, I
believe wearing trousers is a sin, and the government wants me to wear it for
the duration of my service year. Would I compromise because it’s just for a
year? What if I die during that time? God, because it is Your commandment that
I am obeying, let Your will be done. After all, NYSC is not a do-or-die
affair.”
I arrived at
Damare Camp in Adamawa State for my youth service. I was scared at first. I
walked in with zero knowledge of what my fate would be.
I was
directed to my hostel. I kept my bag and went to the registration stand. I
completed my registration, although it was quite stressful. Then, finally, I
was given my kit.
I went back
to the hostel, dropped it, and went straight to the camp director’s office.
He wasn’t
around, but I met a lady there. She asked me why I was looking for him, and I
explained everything to her. She then directed me to where I could find him.
When I met
him, my heart was beating, but I composed myself. He asked why I wanted to see
him, and I said, “Sir, I’m asking for permission to serve with a skirt.”
He looked at
me, then smiled.
“What church
do you attend?” he asked. I answered, “Holiness Revival Movement.”
He said,
“Hmm… Pastor Paul Rika, right?”
He said, “Yes.”
He asked,
“Why don’t you want to serve in trousers?”
I said,
“Because it’s a sin.”
He smiled
and said, “I don’t have the right to tell you what to do. Go and meet the State
Coordinator.”
I thanked him and left.
I went to
the State Coordinator’s office, but she wasn’t around, and that was how I
couldn’t get to see her that day.
The
following day, I woke up early, took my bath, and went back to her office, but
I still couldn’t find her.
Then, I saw
her with some officials inspecting the hostels. I went to her, and she asked
why I was on mufti. I told her I wasn’t done yet and that I wanted to see her.
I followed
her to the office, and when we sat down, she asked what the problem was.
I said,
“Mummy, I’m asking for permission to serve with a skirt.”
She gave me
this look that said, “What is this girl saying?”
She asked
why, and I said I don’t wear trousers because I believe it’s a sin.
She started
preaching to me, telling me that it was just for a year and that if I disobeyed
government orders, I would also be sinning.
In my mind,
I was like, “God and government, who is superior?”
One thing I
loved so much about her was how she spoke to me like a mother. She took her
time trying to convince me, but my mind was already made up.
When she
noticed I wasn’t giving in, her mood changed. So, she said she would allow me
to stay in the camp under two conditions:
I would stay
in the camp but would not participate in any activities, or I would be given an
exit to leave and then return for my posting.
But first, I
had to write a letter to the DG explaining why I didn’t want to serve in
trousers.
Then she
dismissed me.
I was about
to leave when I remembered something. I came back and told her that I would
still like to change my trousers into a skirt.
She was
already tired of me, so she said I should go and do whatever I wanted to
do.
I left and
wrote the letter with the guidance of my platoon officer.
Everyone was
trying to convince me. Some were even upset when they heard my story—that I
didn’t want to wear trousers.
Guys, I was
frustrated to the point that I cried. My pastor and some brethren in the church
would call to encourage and pray with me.
To cut the
long story short, I changed my outfit and left the camp.
Come and see
how everyone was looking at me.😂
I came back
a day before the POP for my posting. On that day, I was a bit uncomfortable
because of the way people were looking at me—the laughter, the ridicule.
Some corps
members would shout, “Ahh! Jesus Corper!” while others would say, “Mother
Mary!” Some would say, “Corper skirt!”
I would just
laugh.
Some
soldiers teased me by calling me “Mama.”
Well, I
eventually collected my posting and was fortunate to be posted to the state
capital.
That was how
I continued wearing my skirt until I was done with my service year.
When I was
done, my pastor said i should call the state coordinator and thank her, which I
did. She asked what I was doing now, I told her I haven’t gotten a government
job yet but I’m into fish business. She encouraged me and thanked me for
calling.
When I was
in camp, many people were waiting to see how I would serve since I was always
preaching against wearing trousers.
Some
couldn’t wait. They called me to ask why I hadn’t posted my pictures yet.
Not because
they really cared, but because they wanted to see whether I wore trousers or
not so they could mock me.
Note: I took
my time to explain this because someone somewhere may need it.
If you’re
here for an argument, I’ll delete your comment. I don’t entertain bitter people
here. Thank you.
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