ILE-IFE:The decision by Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) to impose a strict dress code policy with penalties as severe as suspension for one or two semesters has triggered widespread criticism from students, activists, and public commentators who describe the move as a gross misplacement of priorities in the context of modern education.
One of the most vocal critics, human rights activist and politician Omoyele Sowore, condemned the policy as regressive and authoritarian. In a post on social media, Sowore stated,A university is meant to expand minds, not police wardrobes.
Indecent dressing is subjective and should not be used as a weapon to destroy students’ future
The OAU Students’ Union has also expressed strong opposition, describing the policy unjust, anti-student, and a distraction from the real challenges facing the university community.
In a statement, the union leadership said, Instead of fixing broken hostels and improving academic resources, the administration is targeting students over their clothing. This is unacceptable.”
Prominent journalist and social commentator Fisayo Soyombo questioned the rationale behind such punitive measures, warning that policies like these risk eroding civil liberties within learning environments.
If universities start suspending students over what they wear,” he wrote, “we are clearly sliding backward as a society.”
Other student activists and civil rights groups argue that the university’s stance reveals a deeper cultural obsession with controlling youth rather than empowering them.
They point out that issues such as dilapidated lecture halls, poor internet connectivity, and research funding are far more urgent than a war on fashion.
Critics insist that institutions like OAU should focus on academic excellence, technological innovation, and critical thinking not moral policing.
Universities should prepare students for the future, not punish them for expressing themselves, said one student protester.
As the backlash continues, calls are growing for the university to review the policy and adopt a more inclusive, dialogue-driven approach to campus conduct.
