A recent incident at Olabisi Onabanjo University has ignited a fierce debate surrounding dress codes and personal rights in Nigerian educational institutions.
**Outrage Over "No-Bra, No-Exam" Policy at Nigerian University**
**Outrage Over "No-Bra, No-Exam" Policy at Nigerian University**
University's controversial dress code faces backlash for alleged violations of student rights.
In a startling turn of events, Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ogun State, Nigeria, has drawn widespread criticism following the emergence of a viral video showing female staff inspecting students during an exam registration line. In the footage, these staff members were seen touching the students' chests to verify whether they were wearing bras, leading to accusations of violating students' rights and engaging in what many consider a form of sexual harassment.
While the university has not officially commented on the video, student representatives have attempted to justify the policy as part of a broader dress code aimed at fostering a "distraction-free environment." Nonetheless, their defense has faced backlash from human rights activists and students who argue the practice is outdated, sexist, and likened it to sexual assault.
Haruna Ayagi, a senior official with the Human Rights Network, emphasized that such unwanted physical contact could lead to legal repercussions for the university, claiming, "Unwarranted touches on another person's body is a violation." This sentiment was echoed by a student who spoke to the BBC, highlighting the university's strict moral regulations despite its non-religious status.
In an effort to quell the outrage, Muizz Olatunji, the president of the university's students' union, took to X (formerly Twitter) to clarify the institution’s stance on its dress code. He stated that it aims to encourage students to dress modestly in alignment with the university's values, while acknowledging that discussions were underway to find alternative methods to maintain decorum.
The university, founded in 1982 as Ogun State University and renamed in 2001, has become a focal point in discussions of women’s rights and personal freedoms within educational settings. Critics continue to call for reforms to ensure that students' rights are respected, while the controversy raises significant questions around institutional policies and their implementation.
While the university has not officially commented on the video, student representatives have attempted to justify the policy as part of a broader dress code aimed at fostering a "distraction-free environment." Nonetheless, their defense has faced backlash from human rights activists and students who argue the practice is outdated, sexist, and likened it to sexual assault.
Haruna Ayagi, a senior official with the Human Rights Network, emphasized that such unwanted physical contact could lead to legal repercussions for the university, claiming, "Unwarranted touches on another person's body is a violation." This sentiment was echoed by a student who spoke to the BBC, highlighting the university's strict moral regulations despite its non-religious status.
In an effort to quell the outrage, Muizz Olatunji, the president of the university's students' union, took to X (formerly Twitter) to clarify the institution’s stance on its dress code. He stated that it aims to encourage students to dress modestly in alignment with the university's values, while acknowledging that discussions were underway to find alternative methods to maintain decorum.
The university, founded in 1982 as Ogun State University and renamed in 2001, has become a focal point in discussions of women’s rights and personal freedoms within educational settings. Critics continue to call for reforms to ensure that students' rights are respected, while the controversy raises significant questions around institutional policies and their implementation.
