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OAU students reject new dress code, citing rights violation

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The Great Ife Students’ Union of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has condemned the recently approved dress code by the university’s Governing Council, describing it as an infringement on students’ fundamental rights.

In a statement issued on Thursday, July 24, 2025, and signed by its President-elect, Adelani Oluwatodimu, Secretary-General-elect, Habeeb Isa, and Public Relations Officer-elect, Olowosile Oreoluwa, the union expressed renewed objection to what it called an “alleged dress code policy” introduced by the university management.

“We remain committed to protecting our rights,” the union said, referencing past incidents such as the 2023 dress code circular, which sparked similar outrage before being walked back by university authorities.

The students’ body described the sanctions, ranging from one to two semesters of rustication for certain dress code violations, as “harsh” and “archaic,” asserting that such measures contradict constitutional freedoms.

“The introduction of sanctions such as rustication for perceived ‘misconducts’ 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 stated.

The union further alleged that the policy threatens other rights including freedom of thought, conscience, and religion (Section 38), freedom of movement (Section 41), and protection from discrimination (Section 42).

The Students’ Union called on the university management to distance itself from the punitive policy as it did in 2023.

It also urged students to remain united in defending their liberties against policies “that threaten to restrict freedom of appearance, belief, or identity.”

The university’s Governing Council, in a document dated June 13, 2025, approved a revised dress code following recommendations from the Division of Student Affairs and the Legal Review Committee.

The document noted that the code was intended to promote public decency and security.

Sanctions listed in the revised dress code include rustication for one semester for offences such as wearing dreadlocks, off-shoulder clothing, crop tops, sagging trousers, and tattoos.

A second set of violations, such as coloured hairstyles or “unwelcome touching” of the opposite sex, could attract rustication for two semesters.

However, the Legal Review Committee had recommended a more nuanced sanction structure, including official warnings for first-time offenders and more serious penalties for repeat violations.

It also warned against vague terminology like “sexually provocative dresses,” suggesting “indecent dressing” instead to ensure clarity and fairness.

The statement from the Students’ Union concluded with a call for all stakeholders to uphold a learning environment that is inclusive, respectful of diversity, and free from arbitrary control over personal choices.

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Education

PHOTOS: 200-level Niger State varsity d!es after collapsing in her off-campus residence

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A 200 level student of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai, Niger State, has d!ed after collapsing in her off-campus lodge.

The deceased, identified as Adamu Fatima Muhammad, with matriculation number U23/FNS/BCH/1093, was a student of the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences.

Eye Witnesses said Fatima suddenly fell ill at her residence outside the university campus in Lapai and was rushed to the General Hospital, Lapai, where she was later confirmed d3ad.

According to the source, the deceased had earlier lost both parents and was living with her guardian in Suleja, Niger State, alongside her only surviving brother.

“She was a humble and dedicated student. Her passing is a tragedy that has thrown the entire university community into mourning,” the source said.

Fatima was buried in Lapai on Monday according to Islamic rites.

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PHOTOS: School collapse in Indonesia leaves three de@d, 38 missing

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At least three students have been k!lled and dozens are missing following the collapse of an Islamic boarding school in Indonesia’s East Java province, authorities have said.

National Search and Rescue Agency head Mohammad Syafii said as of 12.30pm (0530 GMT) on Tuesday, “the number of victims is 102 people, consisting of 99 survivors, 3 deaths”.

Rescuers are searching for 38 people believed to be trapped under the rubble following the building collapse, the National Agency for Disaster Management said.

Eleven people have been rescued from the rubble, and 91 others managed to escape, the disaster management agency said.

Seventy-seven victims were taken to several hospitals in the area for treatment for their injuries, according to the agency.

“Efforts to assess the site, monitor the remaining building structure, and prepare evacuation routes for victims are the primary focus of the teams on the ground,” the agency said in a statement on social media.

The agency added that the incident called attention to the need for the “strict implementation of construction safety standards”.

“The public and managers of multistorey buildings are urged to ensure technical supervision during construction to prevent similar occurrences in the future,” it said.

Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency, a separate body, had earlier reported that “provisional data” indicated that 100 students were caught up in the collapse, of whom all but one had been located alive.

Al-Khoziny Islamic Boarding School, in Sidoarjo, East Java, collapsed at about 3pm on Monday as students were gathering for afternoon prayers.

Authorities say the school’s foundation pillars gave way as crews were concreting the fourth floor of the building, trapping dozens of people under debris.

The incident is the second building collapse in Indonesia in less than a month.

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NELFUND closes 2024/2025 loan portal, sets timeline for next application

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The Nigerian Education Loan Fund said the application portal for the 2024/2025 academic session will officially close on Tuesday.

The Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Monday.

Sawyerr said this was to allow the Fund to conclude processing of pending applications and upkeep payments.

He also announced timelines for the 2025/2026 academic cycle, in line with its mandate to expand access to higher education through interest-free student loans.

According to him, the loan portal will reopen in the second week of October for fresh applications and remain open until January 2026.

”NELFUND remains committed to removing financial barriers for students and working with institutions to ensure that no eligible student is left behind.

“These timelines provide clarity for students, parents, and institutions to plan and participate fully in the process,” Sawyerr said.

The managing director directed institutions to update their students’ records on the Student Verification System to enable applicants access the scheme.

He added that all unverified applications for 2024/2025 would be automatically cancelled after Oct. 8, noting that students affected would be required to reapply under the new session.

He warned that institutions that failed to verify students’ records risk being publicly listed for non-compliance.

On upkeep stipends, Sawyerr explained that the payment for the 2024/2025 session would continue until November, adding that students were expected to reapply for 2025/2026 to continue receiving payments.

On repayment terms, he reiterated that the scheme remained interest-free while repayment would begin two years after completion of the National Youth Service Corps, with employers mandated to deduct 10 per cent of beneficiaries’ salaries.

He further expressed concern over arbitrary hikes in tuition and ancillary fees by some institutions, noting that a committee set up by the Minister of Education is working with regulators to harmonise and standardise fee structures across institutions.

Responding to concerns about upkeep stipends, he said the current ₦20,000 monthly allowance would not be increased immediately.

Sawyerr said an ongoing review of cost-of-living indices across different regions could however lead to weighted adjustments in future.

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