“No Bra, No Exam”: Outrage as Nigerian University Sparks Controversy with Gender-Targeted Policy

iNewsAfrica | Ogun State, Nigeria — June 20, 2025

A viral video showing female students at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) being physically checked for bras before entering an examination hall has ignited a firestorm of outrage across Nigeria and beyond. The controversial enforcement of the university’s dress code has drawn fierce criticism from human rights advocates, students, and education stakeholders, who call it sexist, invasive, and a breach of bodily autonomy.

In the footage that surfaced online this week, security officials and some staff members were seen conducting chest-level physical checks on female students, allegedly to verify they were wearing bras — a requirement that has now been dubbed the “No Bra, No Exam” policy.

The university administration has yet to release an official statement, but a student union representative defended the measure, claiming it was part of a broader institutional code meant to “preserve decorum and eliminate distractions” during examinations. However, critics argue the policy disproportionately targets female students and constitutes a form of gender-based harassment.

“Forcing students to undergo such humiliating procedures under the guise of discipline is a violation of their rights,” said Bolanle Ibitoye, a Lagos-based human rights lawyer. “Touching students without consent, especially in sensitive areas, could amount to assault.”

Public reaction has been swift and scathing. Social media platforms, especially Twitter and Reddit, exploded with condemnation, calling the practice medieval and misogynistic. “What does a bra have to do with academic performance?” one user posted. “We should be teaching our young men to focus, not controlling how young women dress.”

While the school’s dress code policy is not new, the physical enforcement method is what has alarmed many. Nigerian universities have a history of enforcing dress standards — including bans on short skirts, ripped jeans, and even certain hairstyles — but observers say this incident marks a troubling escalation.

There is growing pressure on OOU to abandon the policy, with activists and legal experts urging affected students to seek redress. Civil society groups are also calling on the Ministry of Education and National Universities Commission (NUC) to intervene and issue clear guidelines that protect students’ dignity.

As the backlash intensifies, student protests are reportedly being planned on campus, and several advocacy organizations have threatened to file a formal complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

This story is still developing. Stay with iNewsAfrica for updates.

Credit: itvNEWS