UNILAG in the spotlight over Fola's outfit at project defence

The University of Lagos is facing criticism on social media after Nigerian singer Fola, whose real name is Folarin Odunlami, appeared at his final-year project defence dressed in what many called inappropriate clothes for an academic event.

Photos and videos shared online showed Fola arriving on campus in a Cadillac Escalade. He was wearing baggy trousers, a shirt, a scarf, and accessories. Reports say he defended his project in the Department of Economics Education, Faculty of Education.

The images stirred up discussions on X, with many Nigerians questioning if the university had lowered its dress standards because of Fola’s celebrity status.

Some users claimed ordinary students have been stopped from defending projects due to dress code violations, while Fola was allowed to continue without any issues. But there is no official statement from the university confirming that a dress code was broken or that special treatment was given.

An X user, #Nurse__lyon, said that while he likes the singer, dressing properly for a project defence shows respect for the school.

“Don’t get me wrong, I love Fola, but there’s a saying, ‘Give unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar.’ It wouldn’t have taken anything from him to dress appropriately for an occasion such as his project defence. It also speaks to the indiscipline in our institutions,” the user wrote.

Another user, #ithought_iwas2, shared his own experience.

“I wore a shirt and tie with trousers and shoes, yet I was told not to come in for my defence. I had to borrow someone’s blazer before I was allowed to defend. Yet look at how Fola pulled up for his defence,” the user posted.

In response to the backlash, #Inspector_khay1 pointed out that money should not let students avoid proper behaviour.

“It wouldn’t have cost him anything to dress corporate, or at least wear something decent for his project defence. Being rich isn’t an excuse. There’s a time and place for everything,” the user wrote.

Another X user, #iamnotfredrick, criticized both Fola and the university.

“There’s something wrong with Nigerians, from his lecturers allowing him to defend like that, to him deciding to show up like that despite knowing the dress code. He can’t tell me he doesn’t own proper corporate clothes,” the user wrote.

User #Inviiin also said no one should receive special treatment.

“If he was truly dressed this way for the defence then that’s complete madness. Why should preferential treatment be given to anyone?” the user wrote.

Another user, #IbimBoyle, asked if Fola was treated differently from other students.

“Fola wore a crop top, chains and head tie to defend his project and no single lecturer was against it, but Emeka wore sneakers instead of corporate shoes and he wasn’t allowed to defend. Is Fola above the university laws?” the post read.

User #Thepentane_ noted that such a look would not be accepted in some other universities.

“If this happened in the University of Ibadan, I can tell you that he would never have been allowed to graduate,” the user wrote.

On the other hand, some people defended both Fola and the university.

X user #Damilaredeicon mentioned that corporate dressing is not a must in many schools.

“It’s not even about his money or fame. The truth is, wearing corporate attire for project defence isn’t a strict requirement in many schools for courses that are not professional and I don’t think UNILAG enforces it that seriously. It’s really not that unusual,” the user wrote.

Some of Fola’s classmates also shared pictures and videos with him after the event, showing he completed his project defence without any issues.

User #Hbee_tech posted, “Fola came to defend his final-year project with us all the way from Canada,” while another user, #muyiwaCD, shared a photo taken with the singer after the defence.

Even with the online controversy, neither Fola nor the University of Lagos has made an official statement as of now.

PUNCH Online could not verify claims that the singer broke any dress code or received special treatment during the project defence.