Hafsat Ibrahim, a direct-entry student at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Kaduna State, was in a rush to prepare for a test scheduled for 10 am. She left her home in Danraka, Zaria, at 9 am. However, as she approached the school gate, a fellow student alerted her that she was wearing an armless gown. Alarmed, Hafsat recalled that the university had recently banned such attire on campus. As a new direct-entry student, she was still getting accustomed to the school’s regulations after completing her National Diploma in the South-West. In October 2022, ABU implemented a dress code for its community, which included students, staff, and visitors. This code prohibited certain hairstyles, “crazy” jeans, armless clothing, and colored sunglasses, among other outfits.
Hafsat’s experience reflects a broader trend in many public and private tertiary institutions across Nigeria. For instance, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, recently banned cross bags on campus, citing concerns that they could be used to conceal weapons. This ban followed previous restrictions on certain types of clothing and outlined sanctions for students who violated the dress code. The notice, titled “The Polytechnic, Ibadan, indecent dressing/posture notice to new and returning students,” stated that students hugging one another could face a semester suspension. Other infractions included wearing nose rings, excessive earrings, unconventional face caps, and tinted hair, all of which also carried the same penalty. Female students wearing bum shorts or colored braids were similarly at risk of suspension.
Other institutions have enacted similar regulations. In 2018, the University of Ilorin in Kwara State banned hair attachments for female students and prohibited male students from wearing knickers and certain “unacceptable” haircuts. The state university in Malete also imposed strict dress codes. The University of Maiduguri in Borno State outlined acceptable attire, with female students facing suspension for wearing bum shorts, crop tops, or having tinted hair. Male students were similarly restricted from wearing dreadlocks or tattered jeans. In 2020, the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, issued a dress code that drew criticism from students. On January 23, 2022, Lagos State University in Ojo also prohibited indecent dressing, including tinted hair and colored braids.
Students have voiced their concerns regarding these dress codes. A student from Kwara State University, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of repercussions, described the regulations as unjust and a violation of their fundamental rights. She questioned how wearing a nose ring could affect the school’s management or hinder her learning. Another student from Lagos State University expressed that the rules were unnecessary cultural impositions, arguing that the school authorities needed to recognize changing societal norms. She emphasized that students should have the right to choose their attire without it impacting their education.
The Public Relations Officer of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Mubarak Bankole, explained that the ban on cross bags aimed to prevent students from carrying weapons. He acknowledged that the policy might inadvertently affect innocent students who use the bags for academic purposes. Meanwhile, Abdulbasheet Abdulsalam, the representative from Kwara State University, mentioned that students are required to swear an oath to adhere to the school’s regulations upon admission.
Experts have criticized these dress codes as contrary to the principles of higher education. Hassan Soweto, the National Coordinator of the Education Rights Campaign, argued that such regulations contradict the essence of universities as institutions that promote diverse ideas and cultures. He stated that imposing dress codes infringes on the rights of students, particularly those who are adults under the law. Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong echoed these sentiments, labeling the regulations as excessive and an infringement on students’ rights to self-expression. He noted that while certain professions have established dress codes, the broader university environment should allow for individual expression, provided it is not overtly provocative.
Anderson Ezeibe, the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, acknowledged that while each institution may have its unique challenges, such regulations often infringe on students’ dignity. He urged student unions to engage with school authorities to address concerns regarding these moral codes. Efforts to reach the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or messages at the time of this report.
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