Students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, have rejected the institution’s newly approved dress code policy, which includes sanctions for violators, describing it as “harsh” and “archaic,” and accusing the university management of infringing on their fundamental rights.
In a statement released on Thursday, July 24, 2025, and signed by the varsity’s Students’ Union President-elect, Adelani Oluwatodimu; Secretary-General-elect, Habeeb Isa, and Public Relations Officer-elect Olowosile Oreoluwa, the union expressed opposition to what it termed an “alleged dress code policy” recently adopted by the university’s Governing Council.
“We remain committed to protecting our rights,” the statement reads, referencing a similar backlash in 2023 when a dress code circular prompted public outrage and was eventually withdrawn by the university authorities.
The Students’ Union criticised the disciplinary measures contained in the policy, including rustication ranging from one to two semesters for violations of the dress code, calling them “harsh” and “archaic.”
The union argued that such punishments contradict the Nigerian Constitution and infringe on individual freedoms.
“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 union stated.
Beyond personal liberty, the union also raised concerns that the policy threatens several other constitutional rights, including freedom of thought, conscience, and religion (Section 38), freedom of movement (Section 41), and protection from discrimination (Section 42).
While urging the university to reverse course as it did in 2023, the union called on students to remain united against the policy.
“We encourage all students to remain united in defending their liberties against policies that threaten to restrict freedom of appearance, belief, or identity,” the statement concluded.
Tribune Online learnt that the revised dress code, approved by the Governing Council in a document dated June 13, 2025, followed recommendations from the university’s Division of Student Affairs and the Legal Review Committee. According to the circular made public, the policy aims to “promote public decency and security.”.
Sanctions under the new code include rustication for one semester for dressing in dreadlocks, off-shoulder tops, crop tops, sagging trousers, or having tattoos. More severe penalties—such as two semesters of rustication—are reserved for infractions like wearing coloured hairstyles or engaging in “unwelcome touching” of the opposite sex.
Meanwhile, the Legal Review Committee had earlier advised a more balanced approach. It proposed issuing formal warnings to first-time offenders and escalating penalties for repeat violators.
The committee also cautioned against ambiguous language in the policy, recommending the replacement of terms like “sexually provocative dresses” with clearer descriptors such as “indecent dressing” to avoid subjective enforcement.
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