The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has clarified that the controversial dress code document currently circulating on social media has not been finalised and approved by the university’s governing council.
According to the trending document sighted by LIB, students found guilty of certain dress and conduct infractions, including sagging trousers, dreadlocks, public kissing, tattoos, wearing bum shorts or unkempt clothing and sexually provocative outfits risk rustication.
The policy also prohibits public displays of affection such as hugging or kissing the opposite sex, coloured hairstyles, hair braiding for male, T-shirts with obscene inscriptions depicting immorality and hooliganism
The dress code however, sparked a wave of criticism among students and Nigerians on social media, with many describing it as unconstitutional and a violation of students’ rights.
Speaking with Premium Times on Thursday, July 24, 2025, the university’s spokesperson, Abiodun Olarewaju, confirmed that a dress code is indeed being drafted but is still undergoing review.
According to him, the copy being circulated on social media has not been finalised and adopted by the university council.
“So we have not finalised so many things there, but some people just smuggled it out to alert the people,” Olarewaju said.
“The university is working on the dress code because after completion of their studies, the certificates read that they are awarded in character and in learning,” he said.
”And there is no way somebody can be rewarding learning and character without some degree of decency, particularly in the mode of dressing. Once we are done with it, we will make it public, so that our students particularly, will know that in the university, there are ways you dress that will not insult the academic sensibilities and moral sanctity of some other people.”
