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Summary
Obafemi Awolowo University students are challenging a widely circulated dress code memo that threatens rustication for personal appearance choices, including wearing of coloured braids, and off-shoulder dresses. The Student Union body called it a violation of their rights and freedoms. Meanwhile, the University management has distanced itself from the report.
The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has sparked outrage on social media following a purported dress code policy that imposes strict sanctions on personal expression.
Female students at the institution risk being suspended for one semester if they wear backless or off-shoulder clothing, rumpled or dirty clothes, heavy makeup, multi-coloured braids, face caps, crop tops, “sexually suggestive clothings,” and miniskirts. More severe infractions such as coloured hairstyles or “sitting on the opposite sex laps” could attract suspension for two semesters.
According to a memo dated June 13, 2025, the dress code was approved following recommendations from the Division of Student Affairs and the Legal Review Committee. The policy is aimed at promoting “public decency” and security on campus, hence the disciplinary actions for varying dress code violations.
The Great Ife Students’ Union has formally condemned the dress code, calling it a violation of students’ fundamental rights.
In a joint statement signed by President-elect Adelani Oluwatodimu, Secretary-General-elect Habeeb Isa, and Public Relations Officer-elect Olowosile Oreoluwa, the union referred to the code as an “alleged dress code policy” and said it infringes on freedoms guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution.
“The introduction of sanctions such as rustication for perceived ‘misconducts’ stifles and violates students’ fundamental rights to freedom of expression, personal style, and individuality. It also undermines the right to personal liberty as enshrined in Section 35 of the Constitution,” the statement reads.
The union urged the university management to withdraw the policy just as it did in 2023, when a similar proposal sparked mass resistance.
Speaking to Naija Feminists Media (NFM), Secretary-General-elect Habeeb Isa confirmed that the memo had not been officially released but was leaked. He clarified that the account that posted it is not the school management or the Students’ Union official account.
“I can tell you for a fact the Governing Council has approved it and they are ready to implement it,” he said.
He further claimed that he received reports indicating the dress code, despite the Public Relations Officer’s claim that it is still under review, has already been pasted at the school’s security unit.
“It means all federal laws are binding, hence, any attempt to stifle individuality and freedom of expression and all other freedoms that we must enjoy as Nigerians will be outrightly rejected,” Habeeb told NFM, noting that the university is a creation of a federal law.
He affirmed that the union would continue to resist any attempt to implement the dress code.
The policy has triggered widespread protest, with hashtags like #SayNoToDressCode and #NoToOAUDressCode trending on X (formerly Twitter) as students and X users’ alike criticise the university’s stance.
In response to the viral memo, the management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has distanced itself from the widely circulated document outlining a strict dress code for students.
University spokesperson Abiodun Olanrewaju, speaking with The International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) on Friday, July 25, described the memo as fake and not officially released by the institution.
The leaked memo has stirred strong responses on social media. Founder of MEDRIVE, Wemimo Adewuni, posted on X:
“Dreadlocks, extra earrings, tattoos, coloured hair, off shoulder clothes will now get you rusticated at Obafemi Awolowo University. I’m not proud, this time, to say that this is my alma mater.”
Another user, @eminwords, wrote:
“what’s most insane to me is them more or less placing having coloured hair on a par with sexual violence.”
