OAU Denies Controversial Dress Code Memo, Says Real Policy In Progress
- By Abdulfatah Robiu
The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has denied a widely circulated document enforcing a strict dress code policy that sparked outrage among students earlier this week.
Speaking on Friday, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olanrewaju, said the memo, which outlined a range of fashion-related misconducts punishable by rustication, did not originate from the institution.
“For the time being, I would like people to disregard it in its entirety of that particular circular. The registrar doesn’t know anything about it. I don’t know anything about it either. If such a directive were to come out, it would be duly signed by either myself or the university registrar,” Olanrewaju said.
The memo, which had earlier surfaced online, appeared to bear the university’s official heading and prescribed rustication of up to two semesters for students who make certain hairstyles, ripped jeans, tattoos, sexually provocative dresses, or engaged in actions such as hugging or massaging members of the opposite sex.
It quickly gained traction across social media platforms, especially X (formely Twitter), fueling anger among students and the society.
Olanrewaju clarified that while the trending circular was fake, the university is indeed considering the implementation of an official dress code.
He noted that the school is seeking to maintain moral sanctity of the academic environment.
“We are coming up with our own dress code, because we really don’t want our students to just dress anyhow. But for now, that one is not from us,” he said.
