A Nigerian mother known as Ms Essien has ignited an online debate after she criticised parents who ignore school dress‑code rules during the country's Independence Day celebrations.
To commemorate [Nigeria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria)’s annual independence, many schools ask pupils to wear traditional indigenous clothing. Ms Essien contended that responsible parents should respect these school directives to protect their children from the embarrassment and emotional upset of feeling excluded when classmates comply.
She further argued that disregarding administrative guidelines can harm a child's psychological growth. According to Ms Essien, parents who flout basic regulations risk fostering low self‑esteem in their children, which may later translate into bullying behaviour.
The post has divided opinions on social media. Some users echoed her view, urging parents to prioritise school requirements, while others defended families facing demanding work schedules, suggesting that missed email notifications should not lead to harsh judgment.
The discussion continues to generate strong reactions across platforms.