A university in Nigeria is facing heavy criticism after a video surfaced online showing female students being checked to see if they were wearing bras before being allowed into an exam hall. The video, which quickly went viral, shows female staff touching students’ chests in public while they lined up for entry.
The incident took place at Olabisi Onabanjo University, located in the south-western state of Ogun. The school has not issued an official statement regarding the video, but the backlash has been swift. Students, rights groups, and the public have expressed concern over the university’s policy and the way it is enforced.
A student leader at the university defended the bra-checking rule, saying it was part of a broader dress code. According to him, the goal is to create an environment free from distractions. However, he admitted that the current method of enforcement was problematic.
Critics argue that the checks amount to harassment and are rooted in outdated, sexist views. They say touching a student’s body without permission is not only wrong but could also be considered a form of sexual assault.
Haruna Ayagi, a senior official at the Human Rights Network, told the BBC that the students involved could take legal action against the university. He stated that the policy violates personal rights and should never include physical contact. “Unwarranted touches on another person’s body is a violation and could lead to legal action,” Ayagi said.
One female student, who asked not to be named, shared that the university has long enforced a strict dress code. She said students’ outfits are often checked and that they are pressured to dress in ways the university deems appropriate, even though the school is not a religious institution.
The public response to the video has been strong, with many calling the bra-checking rule harmful and unnecessary. The video sparked debate across social media platforms, with users demanding that the school respect students’ personal space and dignity.
In response, the president of the university’s student union, Muizz Olatunji, posted a message on X (formerly Twitter). He explained that the university has always promoted a dress code meant to support a respectful and distraction-free academic space. He added that the policy encourages modest dressing that aligns with the school’s values.
Olatunji also emphasized that the bra-checking practice was not officially new. He said the student union has already started talks with the university to find more respectful ways to enforce the rules. He mentioned the goal is to ensure staff and students interact in a dignified manner.
As part of the public response, the student union also released the full dress code policy. The guidelines include a ban on clothing considered indecent or that could cause sexual attraction. Specifically, it forbids wearing clothes “capable of making the same or opposite sex to lust after the student in an indecent manner.”
The controversy has raised broader concerns about bodily autonomy and the role of moral standards in education settings. Many students and activists believe universities should focus on academic growth, not police what students wear. They also stress that physical checks should never be part of any enforcement.
Olabisi Onabanjo University was founded in 1982, originally known as Ogun State University. It was renamed in 2001 after former state governor Olabisi Onabanjo. The institution has grown to become one of the well-known public universities in Nigeria.
However, this recent issue is now putting its policies under a spotlight. As the debate continues, rights groups and students are pushing for changes that respect human dignity and protect personal freedoms while maintaining academic discipline.
