Reality TV star and actress Ijeoma Josephine Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, was denied entry into a Lagos restaurant on Monday due to what the establishment deemed “indecent dressing.”
The 27-year-old Big Brother Naija Season 7 winner took to her X (formerly Twitter) handle to express her frustration over the incident, revealing that her outfit—a black jumpsuit with a plunging neckline—led to her being turned away.
“So, I went to have dinner at one CALI RESTAURANT Abi what they call the place 😂😂😂 omo they said I’m dressed indecently and I can’t enter o,” Phyna wrote, sharing a video of herself in the outfit.
Phyna’s post sparked widespread debate on social media, with users divided over the incident. Some criticised her choice of attire, supporting the restaurant’s decision to enforce its dress code.
“At the peak of status, you will find that decency is a core virtue. Nobody wants to see your private body parts in a place of business and financial negotiations,” one user commented.
Another wrote, “If you wear a hooker’s uniform, be prepared to be treated like one.”
Others, however, defended Phyna, questioning the rationale behind the restaurant’s action and calling it discriminatory.
“What is wrong with the dressing? I think people are still stuck with that African mentality. It’s the restaurant’s loss. Hope they said it in a polite manner. If not, you sue,” one supporter wrote.
Phyna, who rose to fame in 2022 as the winner of Big Brother Naija’s 7th season, has since transitioned into acting and continues to enjoy a strong fan base. The incident adds to her growing public profile, igniting conversations about personal freedom, dress codes, and societal expectations.
While the restaurant has yet to respond to the controversy, the debate underscores the ongoing clash between individual expression and institutional policies in public spaces.
