Kaduna Polytechnic has opened an investigation following reports that several students were denied entry to lectures at the College of Business and Management Studies over alleged dress code breaches.
The matter gained attention after videos of protesting students circulated widely on social media.
In one video, a female student expressed frustration, insisting her attire was modest and appropriate.
She explained that while security initially allowed her onto campus, she was later stopped by officials enforcing the dress code.
“My outfit is fully covered, my trousers reach the ground. There is nothing wrong with it,” the student said. “Security cleared me to enter, yet one man called me back.”
She also criticized the financial burden placed on students who had spent money on transportation, only to be turned away for what she described as minor infractions.
“People wasted money to get to school, and now they’re being sent home over trivial issues,” she said.
She added that some students were barred because their sleeves were deemed too short, despite the rest of their clothing being modest.
The student questioned the reasoning behind the enforcement. “Why can’t this lady enter just because the sleeves of her shirt are short? Her chest is covered, her outfit reaches the ground, and yet that’s a problem?”
She described the rules as excessive, especially when students were asked to remove nail polish or change their clothes to attend lectures. “I am not in primary school. I paid fees to attend lectures, not to be harassed over my clothing,” she said.
According to the student, the strict enforcement had been ongoing for one to two weeks, and she called on the polytechnic’s management to intervene.
In response, Kaduna Polytechnic acknowledged the viral video and noted that the students’ outfits appeared modest and appropriate. In a statement signed by Deputy Registrar, Information and Protocol, Mr. Godwin B. Ayegba, the institution said the affected students should not have been prevented from attending classes.
“The clothing of the students shown in the videos appears moderate and suitable. They should not have been barred from their lectures on this basis,” the statement said.
The management explained that while the polytechnic maintains a dress code to ensure decency, professionalism, and a conducive learning environment, enforcement must follow approved guidelines. “The Dress Code Committee is tasked with upholding the policy in line with institutional regulations, but it must not be applied in an extreme or arbitrary manner,” the statement added.
Kaduna Polytechnic confirmed that an investigation has begun to determine what happened and to identify any lapses in implementing the dress code.
Ayegba said appropriate steps would be taken to resolve the matter fairly and prevent future incidents of what the institution described as “overzealous enforcement.”
The polytechnic also urged students to direct complaints through official channels rather than social media, emphasizing its commitment to discipline while ensuring access to education. “Kaduna Polytechnic remains dedicated to maintaining a respectful, disciplined, and academically focused campus environment for all stakeholders,” the statement concluded.
