The recent actions by the school management of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, in implementing a dress code on campus, are not only misogynistic but also archaic. Videos circulating online show female students being inappropriately touched by security operatives to “check” if they were wearing bras. At this rate, we shouldn’t be surprised if a “no pants, no exam” policy is introduced. This is a clear case of misplaced priorities—especially when the quality of education in the country continues to decline, with budgetary allocations to the sector consistently falling below 10%. Our universities suffer from inadequate laboratories, overcrowded and inhumane lecture theatres, and a dire shortage of qualified lecturers.

Similarly, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, recently introduced a dress code policy under the guise of promoting “morally dressed students.” This policy has rightly drawn widespread condemnation. Even self-proclaimed moralists have criticized the ban on coloured hairstyles, dreadlocks (for both male and female students), ankle chains for women, coloured eyeglasses, false eyelashes, and shorts. It begs the question: Are these public universities or religious seminaries?

We in the Resistance Against Oppression, Sexual Harassment, and Anti-Poor Policies (ROSA) strongly condemn this unjust harassment. It is disheartening that citadels of learning—institutions meant to be citadels of knowledge, critical thought, and freedom of expression, are instead championing repressive and regressive appearance codes.

This is not the first time institutions in Nigeria have attempted to impose such dress codes. Over the years, university administrations have issued a range of absurd and intrusive rules targeting students—legal adults—especially young women. These policies are less about discipline or academic excellence and more about control—control of students’ bodies, especially female bodies.

What is particularly disturbing in the current situation is the method of enforcement. Videos online show security officers harassing and physically inspecting students, primarily women, under the pretense of checking for underwear. This is outright sexual harassment—institutionalized and masquerading as morality enforcement. It is both absurd and alarming that this is happening in 2025, within the supposed safe and intellectual space of a university.

If asked about the justification for such policies, the administration would likely argue that it is to uphold the “moral fabric” of the academic environment. But whose morality? Who defines it? And why is it always skewed against women, the poor, and the marginalized?

That university administrations find time and resources to police students’ underwear—while students face hunger, fee hikes, unstable academic calendars, and crumbling infrastructure—shows a blatant misplacement of priorities. Targeting students, especially women, becomes a way to deflect criticism from their failures.

ROSA outrightly rejects this coercive approach. We call on all students, activists, and progressives to resist this backward drift toward authoritarianism. Dress codes that violate personal freedom, bodily autonomy, and individual rights have no place in academic institutions.

Where dress codes are necessary, they should be minimally restrictive and respect the diversity and autonomy of students. The notion that a student’s academic standing is dependent on whether they wear a bra or dreadlocks is not only flawed—it is sexist, classist, and dehumanizing.

We must also expose the class bias in such policies. It is usually students from poor backgrounds who are targeted and harassed. While wealthier students are allowed to dress in ways deemed “modern” or “fashionable,” poor students are subjected to scrutiny and humiliation. Behind the mask of “morality,” this dress code is simply another tool of oppression.

ROSA remains committed to fighting all forms of oppression—whether through body policing, sexual harassment, or anti-poor policies.

ROSA Demands:

• An immediate end to the enforcement of discriminatory dress codes at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), and all other tertiary institutions. We demand a public apology from the school authorities for the sexual harassment and inappropriate “checks” carried out under the guise of enforcement.
• A total halt to all repressive policies that seek to police and control students’ bodies, especially those of women. Instead, university administrations should focus on addressing the real issues in education—improving hostel conditions, hiring more qualified lecturers, equipping laboratories, and ensuring accessible and affordable education for all.
• Students’ Union bodies in all affected institutions—and by extension the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to immediately mobilise for coordinated mass actions across campuses to resist all anti-student policies, including dress code harassment, fee hikes, and repression. Students must reclaim their right to organise, speak freely, and be treated with dignity within their institutions.
• A democratic approach to policy-making in tertiary institutions, where students—through their elected unions—have full participation in formulating and reviewing institutional policies.
• Immediate reversal of fee hikes and an end to all anti-poor policies that restrict access to higher education for working-class youth.
• The Federal and State governments increase education funding to at least 26% of the national budget, in line with UNESCO’s recommendation, to overhaul the crumbling infrastructure in the education sector and improve teaching and learning conditions.
• That independent panels investigate the reported cases of sexual harassment and body shaming by security operatives, and that appropriate disciplinary actions be taken against those involved.
• Universities establish anti-harassment policies and gender equality frameworks aimed at protecting students’ rights, dignity, and bodily autonomy.

We also call on the National Universities Commission (NUC) and other institution regulatory bodies to urgently call university management to order, ensuring they prioritise academic excellence over moral policing. The core mandate of a university must remain the pursuit of knowledge, research, and critical thinking—not the enforcement of regressive and discriminatory appearance codes. Once again, all students need to organise, and resist any effort to impose dictatorship on our campuses. To join us, contact:  07067125125, 08147476620

Signed:

Jimoh Abibat

Coordinator ROSA – Nigeria