No bra, No exam, Ogun university dress code spark reactions online
The management of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, has drawn public attention and online debate over the enforcement of a controversial policy popularly dubbed the “No Bra, No Examination” rule.
According to reports and eyewitness accounts circulating on social media, several female students were recently denied entry into exam halls for allegedly failing to wear bras. The enforcement reportedly took place during ongoing semester examinations, with campus security and invigilators said to be implementing the directive strictly.
Students React
Many students expressed shock and dismay, claiming they were not previously informed of such a dress code policy. Some affected students alleged that they were humiliated and forced to return to their hostels to comply, causing them to miss parts of their exams or arrive late.
I was stopped from entering the hall because the female security official said I wasn’t wearing a bra,” one student told local media anonymously. “I was embarrassed and confused. I had to rush back and borrow one just to write my paper.”
Management Defends Policy
The university management, through unofficial sources, has defended the move, citing concerns about “indecent dressing” and the need to uphold decorum during examinations. They argued that the decision is part of a broader institutional effort to promote discipline, modesty, and respect for cultural and academic standards on campus.
However, there has been no official circular released to confirm the existence of a formal “No Bra, No Exam” policy in the university’s dress code regulations.
Public Backlash and Legal Concerns
The incident has since gone viral online, sparking mixed reactions. While some support the university’s stance on modesty and discipline, many others, including gender rights activists and legal experts, have condemned the policy as invasive, discriminatory, and a violation of students’ rights.
Legal analysts argue that such a policy, if real and enforced without official documentation or due process, could be challenged in court as unconstitutional and a breach of privacy and bodily autonomy.
Social media platforms have been abuzz with hashtags like #NoBraNoExam, with many users criticizing what they describe as an outdated and patriarchal mindset.
Calls for Clarification
As criticism continues to mount, student unions and rights organizations are calling on the university management to issue an official statement clarifying its position and to review any informal policies that may cause psychological distress or hinder access to education.
Many observers believe this controversy should prompt Nigerian universities to re-evaluate their dress code enforcement practices and focus more on academic integrity and student welfare than policing of attire.
As of the time of this report, efforts to reach the university’s spokesperson for an official comment were unsuccessful.
