UNILAG Withdraws Controversial Anti-Rape Advisory

The University of Lagos (UNILAG), located in Akoka, has officially withdrawn a controversial advisory aimed at female students regarding sexual harassment, following significant public criticism. The advisory, which was released by the university's Student Affairs Division, included statements such as “Do not shake hands anyhow with any man,” “Do not dress to kill,” and “Do not mingle carelessly with men.” It also advised against accepting gifts from men and staying alone with a man in secluded places.

This publication sparked outrage on social media, with many accusing the university of promoting victim-blaming by shifting the responsibility of preventing sexual harassment onto potential victims instead of addressing the actions of perpetrators. In response to the backlash, Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, the Head of the university’s Communication Unit, stated that the advisory does not reflect the institution’s values and reaffirmed UNILAG's zero-tolerance stance on sexual harassment, emphasizing its commitment to a safe and respectful learning environment.