LAGOS — The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has withdrawn a controversial set of anti-rape advisories issued to female students by its Student Affairs Division, following widespread public condemnation and fierce criticism across digital platforms.
The advisory, which was displayed on a roll-up banner on campus, aimed to provide counselling tips for personal safety and minimize the risk of sexual harassment. However, it sparked intense outrage due to its victim-blaming tone. Among its prominent directives, the banner warned female students not to “shake hands anyhow with any man,” avoid dressing “to kill,” refrain from mingling carelessly with men, and avoid staying alone with men in hidden locations.
Critics and civil rights advocates swiftly condemned the guidelines, arguing that the institution was shifting the onus of preventing sexual assault away from perpetrators and placing the burden entirely on potential victims.
The backlash highlights ongoing challenges institutions face in addressing campus safety and sexual misconduct. In recent years, UNILAG has grappled with high-profile security concerns, including a notable legal case from April where an undergraduate testified against a lecturer accused of sexual assault, as well as past incidents of gender-based violence on campus.
Following the immediate outcry and fierce debates on social media, the university leadership ordered the immediate removal of the banners and retracted the advisory, promising a more comprehensive and rights-compliant approach to student safety and anti-harassment education moving forward.
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