Outcry as YABATECH denies ex-student entry over hairstyle

A former student of Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos, has raised the alarm after he was denied entry into the school’s Epe campus because of his hairstyle.

In a video that went viral on Tuesday, the young man appeared visibly frustrated as he showed off his Afro hair, which security officers at the campus gate claimed was unacceptable.

He said he had been denied access for over a week despite having a business worth N2 million to attend to within the school premises.

“How will you tell me not to come into the campus with my hairstyle? See students coming into the school with rough hair. See students coming in with rough hair and you are telling me I can’t come in because of my inappropriate hair.

You have trained me to know my rights. You’re telling me I need a hairstyle permit to enter the campus. Why am I not allowed to enter the campus when I have a tangible reason to? I have a business worth over N2 million here.

“I have been stopped for over a week now.”

The video showed security guards warning him to leave the school gate or face consequences.

They insisted the order came from the school’s management.

One of the security agents said, “Are we the one that stopped you from entering? The management said we should not allow you to enter the campus. Just go. If you don’t, you will be dealt with. I will wound you now.”

The young man pointed out several students with similar bushy hairstyles and dreadlocks but said he was the only one being harassed.

He described the situation as embarrassing and unfair.

When contacted, the school’s Public Relations Officer, Adams Adekunle, said he had not seen the video but promised to look into the matter.

As of the time of this report, the school has yet to issue an official statement.