A university in Nigeria has sparked outrage after a video went viral showing female students being touched to see if they were wearing bras before taking part in an exam. In the footage, female staff at Olabisi Onabanjo University in south-western Ogun State are seen touching some students' chests as they queue to enter an examination hall. The university has not yet commented on the video, but a student leader defended the bra policy as being part of the institution's dress code aimed at maintaining "a distraction-free environment". However, he acknowledged that other ways were needed to enforce the policy that has been condemned by critics as archaic, sexist and likened to sexual assault. A senior official at campaign group Human Rights Network told the BBC that students could sue the university for violating their rights. "Unwarranted touches on another person's body is a violation and could lead to legal action. The university is wrong to adopt this method to curb indecent dressing," Haruna Ayagi said. A student who did not want to be named told the BBC that the university enforced a strict moral code despite not being a religious institution. She said their clothes were always being checked. In response to the outcry, the president of the university's students' union, Muizz Olatunji, said on X that the university promoted "a dress-code policy aimed at maintaining a respectful and distraction-free environment, encouraging students to dress modestly and in line with the institution's values". He added that the policy was not new, and the union had "engaged with the institution to explore alternative approaches to addressing indecent dressing, focusing on respectful and dignified interactions between students and staff". He also published the dress code, which included a ban on any clothes "capable of making the same or opposite sex to lust after the student in an indecent manner". The university was founded in 1982 as Ogun State University when Olabisi Onabanjo was state governor. It was renamed after him in 2001. Go toBBCAfrica.comfor more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter@BBCAfrica, on Facebook atBBC Africaor on Instagram atbbcafrica
'No-bra, no-exam' rule at Nigerian university sparks outrage
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"Nigerian University Faces Backlash Over Controversial Dress Code Enforcement"
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TruthLens AI Summary
A controversial incident at Olabisi Onabanjo University in Nigeria has ignited significant backlash after a video emerged showing female students being physically checked by female staff to determine if they were wearing bras prior to taking an examination. The footage, which quickly gained traction on social media, depicts a disturbing scene where students are subjected to unwanted physical contact as they line up to enter the examination hall. While the university has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident, a student leader attempted to justify the bra-checking policy as part of a broader dress code designed to foster a distraction-free environment for students. This justification has been met with widespread condemnation, with critics labeling the policy as outdated, sexist, and reminiscent of sexual harassment. Human rights advocates have also weighed in, suggesting that students could pursue legal action against the university for infringing upon their rights, as any unwarranted touching constitutes a violation of personal autonomy.
In the wake of the uproar, Muizz Olatunji, president of the university's students' union, defended the institution's dress code, asserting that it aims to promote respect and discourage indecent dressing. He emphasized that the policy is not a new initiative and has been in place to align student attire with the university's values. Olatunji also indicated that the union has been in discussions with university officials to explore alternative methods for addressing concerns about indecent dressing, focusing on fostering respectful interactions rather than invasive practices. The university's dress code explicitly prohibits clothing deemed provocative, with the intention of preventing any attire that may incite lustful thoughts among students. Founded in 1982 and renamed in 2001 after a former state governor, Olabisi Onabanjo University continues to navigate the complexities of maintaining institutional values while respecting students' rights and personal dignity.
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