AGO-IWOYE, Nigeria, June 21, 2025 – Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) in Ogun State, Nigeria, is at the center of a national controversy after a viral video surfaced showing female staff physically checking female students for bras before allowing them into examination halls. The policy, dubbed “no bra, no entry,” has sparked widespread outrage, with critics labeling it sexist, degrading, and a violation of students’ rights.
The video, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on social media, shows female invigilators touching students’ chests as they queue to enter exam rooms. Students confirmed to CNN that the footage was filmed at OOU, though the exact date remains unverified. The checks are reportedly part of the university’s dress code, which bans attire deemed “indecent,” including clothing that exposes sensitive body parts or could “make the same or opposite sex lust after the student in an indecent manner.”
Muizz Olanrewaju Olatunji, president of the OOU student union, defended the policy in a post on X, stating it is not new and aims to maintain a “respectful and distraction-free environment.” He shared excerpts of the dress code, which encourages modest dressing, but acknowledged the need for alternative enforcement methods, saying discussions with university officials are underway to ensure “respectful and dignified interactions.”
The university has not issued an official statement or responded to media inquiries, fueling further criticism. Human rights advocates have condemned the practice, with lawyer Inibehe Effiong calling it “draconian” and “arbitrary,” arguing it could constitute sexual harassment. “Physically examining students’ bodies to determine whether they are wearing a bra is degrading and undignifying,” Effiong told CNN, noting that medical reasons might prevent some students from wearing bras. He warned that the policy’s enforcement could lead to legal action.
Social media users have echoed these sentiments, with many calling the checks a human rights violation. “This is harassment. People have different reasons for not wearing bras,” posted X user @kaysheila. Another user, @kastrotwits, urged students to sue the university. A senior official from the Human Rights Network told the BBC that “unwarranted touches on another person’s body is a violation and could lead to legal action.”
OOU, founded in 1982 as Ogun State University and renamed in 2001 after former governor Olabisi Onabanjo, is not alone in enforcing strict dress codes. Many Nigerian universities ban miniskirts for women and dreadlocks or earrings for men. However, the invasive nature of OOU’s enforcement has ignited a broader debate about personal autonomy, gender-based policies, and institutional overreach in higher education.
One anonymous female student told Tyla that the university’s dress code is framed as a moral issue, despite OOU having no religious affiliation, and that clothing checks are routine. Critics argue the policy fails to account for individual circumstances and reinforces outdated norms.
As public pressure mounts, eyes are on OOU to address the uproar and revise its enforcement practices. The controversy has sparked calls for nationwide reform of university dress codes to prioritize students’ dignity and rights.
