Nigeria's Olabisi Onabanjo University has recently been embroiled in a controversial incident. Multiple videos show female students being subjected to 'breast-touching' checks by staff to determine whether they were wearing bras before entering exam halls. After these videos went viral on social media, a public outcry ensued, condemning the invasion of students' privacy and dignity.
The footage shows several female students standing in line outside the exam room, each being checked by two female staff members who hand-check their chest. A young girl in an orange T-shirt was immediately pulled out of the queue after her check, a scene that shocked many viewers.
CNN quoted students confirming that the video was indeed filmed at Olabisi Onabanjo University, though the exact date could not be verified. However, the university’s exam period falls on the week of June 16.
Student union president Muizz Olanrewaju Olatunji admitted in an interview that the university has had a long-standing policy of 'checking for proper attire,' with the aim of maintaining a learning environment of 'mutual respect and free from distractions.' He pointed out that university regulations prohibit exposing sensitive areas such as the breasts, buttocks, nipples, or navel, and any clothing that could be interpreted as 'sexually suggestive' is considered inappropriate.
However, after the incident came to light, Olatunji posted on social platform X (formerly Twitter) stating that he is discussing with the university authorities about other more suitable approaches, hoping to maintain dress codes in a way more respectful to students in the future.
In response, local human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong strongly condemned the practice, bluntly stating that the 'bra policy' is both crude and constitutes sexual harassment. He criticized that 'to physically inspect female students just to check if they are wearing bras is not only degrading but inhumane.'