OAU students oppose new dress policy, cite violations of rights
The Great Ife Students’ Union of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has criticised the recently approved dress code by the institution’s Governing Council, labelling it as a violation of students’ fundamental rights.
In a statement released on Thursday, 24 July 2025, and signed by its President-elect, Adelani Oluwatodimu, Secretary-General-elect, Habeeb Isa, and Public Relations Officer-elect, Olowosile Oreoluwa, the union reaffirmed its opposition to what it referred to as an “alleged dress code policy” introduced by the university’s management.
“We remain committed to protecting our rights,” declared the union, citing past examples such as the 2023 dress code circular, which provoked similar discontent before being retracted by the school’s authorities.
The student body criticised the penalties, which include rustication lasting from one to two semesters for certain dress code infractions, calling them “harsh” and “archaic”, and argued that such punishments are at odds with constitutional freedoms.
“The introduction of sanctions such as rustication for perceived ‘misconduct’ 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 asserted.
The union further claimed that the policy endangers additional rights such as freedom of thought, conscience, and religion (Section 38), freedom of movement (Section 41), and protection from discrimination (Section 42).
The Students’ Union urged the university’s administration to dissociate itself from the punitive regulation as it did in 2023.
It also encouraged students to stay united in defending their freedoms against rules “that threaten to restrict freedom of appearance, belief, or identity”.
According to a document dated 13 June 2025, the university’s Governing Council endorsed an updated dress code based on advice from the Division of Student Affairs and the Legal Review Committee.
The document stated that the policy aims to uphold public decency and safety.
Penalties stated in the new dress code include rustication for one semester for behaviours such as wearing dreadlocks, off-shoulder tops, crop tops, sagging trousers, and tattoos.
A second category of violations, including dyed hairstyles or “unwelcome touching” of the opposite gender, could lead to rustication for two semesters.
Nonetheless, the Legal Review Committee had proposed a more flexible approach to penalties, such as issuing official warnings to first-time violators and applying stricter consequences for repeat offences.
It also advised against ambiguous terms like “sexually provocative dresses” and instead recommended using the phrase “indecent dressing” to maintain transparency and fairness.
The Students’ Union’s statement concluded by appealing to all stakeholders to preserve a learning atmosphere that embraces inclusion, respects diversity, and is free from unjust restrictions on individual choices.
