NEW RULES ON INAPPROPRIATE DRESSING IN TERTIARY INSTITUTE IN NIGERIA

   NEW RULES ON INAPPROPRIATE DRESSING IN TERTIARY INSTITUTE IN NIGERIA .

      Across Nigeria's vibrant university campuses, a quiet revolution is unfolding . The implementation and reinforcement of stricter dress codes in tertiary institutions have ignited a complex debate, weaving together threads of tradition, modernity, religious values, institutional authority, and individual

    Driven primarily by university administrations and often influenced by religious affiliations (particularly in faith-based institutions) or strong cultural norms, these regulations typically aim to enforce "decency," "modesty," and "professionalism." Common prohibitions include:

Revealing Attire: Low-cut tops, bare midriffs, excessively short skirts/shorts, see-through fabrics, and spaghetti straps.

Tight Clothing:Body-hugging outfits like leggings worn alone, very tight jeans, or figure-revealing dresses.

Unkempt or Extreme Styles:Tattered jeans, sagging trousers, clothing with offensive imagery or slogans, excessively flamboyant or distracting styles.

Specific Bans:Some institutions explicitly ban items like flip-flops (slippers) in classrooms or certain types of headgear (outside religious requirements).

  

    Schools that has made new rules concerning inappropriate dressing are :

    

 1. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) – May 2025

2.Federal University, Otuoke – June 2025

3.Kwara State University (KWASU)  January 2025

4 University of Calabar (UNICAL) – February 2025

The stated rationale often centers on:

1. Maintaining Academic Seriousness:Promoting an environment conducive to learning, free from distractions deemed inappropriate.

2.  Upholding Cultural and Religious Values:Aligning with societal expectations of modesty, particularly in a country with strong religious sentiments.

3. Fostering Discipline and Professionalism:Preparing students for the corporate world where dress codes are commonplace.

4.  Ensuring Security:Arguing that certain attire can aid in identifying intruders or prevent concealment (though this is often debated).

  Unsurprisingly, these rules have met significant resistance from a large segment of the student population. Their arguments highlight different concerns:

  Infringement on Personal Freedom:Students argue that dressing is a fundamental form of self-expression and that institutions overreach by dictating personal choices unrelated to academic performance. "My skirt length doesn't affect my GPA," is a common refrain.

  Arbitrary Enforcement & Bias:Many report inconsistent application, with rules sometimes used to target specific individuals (often female students) or based on subjective interpretations of "indecency." This raises concerns about fairness and potential harassment.

  Class and Accessibility:Strict codes can impose financial burdens, requiring students to purchase specific "acceptable" clothing they might not otherwise own or afford. Vintage or alternative styles are often penalized.

   Focus Misplaced: Critics argue that universities should prioritize improving infrastructure, teaching quality, and security rather than policing attire. "They care more about my sleeves than the leaking lecture hall roof," students lament.

   Modernity vs. Outdated Norms:Many students feel the codes reflect outdated societal norms that clash with contemporary global youth culture and fashion trends.

   Defining Decency ,the inherent subjectivity of terms like "indecent" or "immodest" makes fair and consistent enforcement nearly impossible, leading to accusations of discrimination or moral policing.The "Religious" Question, While accommodating religious attire (like hijabs) is generally accepted, defining the limits of "modesty" across different faiths and cultures within the code can be complex.

   The dress code debate reflects a larger tension in Nigerian society between tradition and modernity, collective norms and individual rights, and the very purpose of a university environment. Is it solely a place of rigorous academic discipline modeled after corporate life, or should it also be a space for exploration, self-discovery, and respectful diversity?

Conclusion:

Nigeria's tertiary dress code debate is about more than just clothing; it's about identity, autonomy, power dynamics, and the vision for higher education. While fostering a respectful and serious academic environment is a valid goal, achieving it through overly restrictive and subjectively enforced dress codes risks alienating the very students institutions aim to serve. Finding a sustainable solution requires moving beyond rigid dictates towards collaborative guidelines that respect individual expression within a framework of mutual respect and shared academic purpose. The fabric of a truly vibrant learning environment should be woven with threads of both discipline and diversity.

                                                 ... Funky...