Dress Codes 2017: Nigeria University Bans Tight Clothes To Curb ‘Indecent’ Dressing On Campus And In Lectures

A university in the Nigerian city of Lagos has imposed a dress code on its students to curb “indecent” dressing, according to local media. It has also directed students not to wear any clothes that have “subliminal messages” printed on them.

The University of Lagos issued the directive Tuesday saying that lecturers and administrators can remove students from campus if they are found violating the rule.

“It has been observed that some male and female students of the University of Lagos dress indecently on campus, even to lectures. Indecent dresses are either too tight, too short or expose sensitive parts of the body. … Students should maintain a clean and well-cared for appearance in all settings on campus. Wearing of tight, strapless and revealing clothes whose length are above the knees are inappropriate,” the directive read.

“Example of such dresses are transparent clothing, spaghetti tops, tubes and Skirts and dresses with slits above the knees fall in this category. Outfits such as knickers and mini-skirts, dresses, which are not at least, knee length, Inappropriate outfits e.g party-wear, beach wear and bathroom slippers should not be worn to lectures,” the rule stated.

The university also warned the students against wearing clothes that carry “obscene and subliminal messages.” Bottom wears such as hip-riders and low waist jeans have also been prohibited on campus.

“During for (sic) matriculation and graduation ceremonies, the management mandated students to wear academic gowns on a black or grey suit,” the university’s directive read.

This is not the first time universities across the world have grabbed headlines for imposing a dress code on its students. In India, for instance, several colleges and universities have, in the past, implemented similar rules, arguing that doing so would help curb molestation and sexual harassment of women.

In the U.S., two female students at Brown University in Rhode Island alleged, in January, that the school policy was sexist because of its gym dress code. However, the university defended the rule, saying that the dress code was implemented to ensure proper hygiene in the gym.