UNILAG Safety Advisory Triggers Debate Over Anti-Rape Guidelines
The Student Affairs Division of University of Lagos (UNILAG) has stirred public debate after issuing a safety advisory for female students as part of its campaign against sexual harassment and rape on campus.
The advisory, displayed on roll-up banners across the university, encourages female students to adopt precautionary measures, including avoiding secluded places with men, rejecting intoxicants, being assertive, and reporting inappropriate behavior. One of the most debated directives advises students not to “shake hands anyhow with any man.”
Other recommendations include dressing modestly, avoiding unnecessary favors from men, refraining from watching pornographic content, and resisting peer pressure. The advisory also emphasizes the importance of saying “no” to unwanted sexual advances and warns about the consequences of unprotected sex.
According to the university’s Student Affairs Division, the campaign is intended to raise awareness about personal safety and help students identify and avoid potentially risky situations.
However, the advisory has attracted criticism from many Nigerians, who argue that some of its messages could be interpreted as placing the burden of preventing sexual violence on women rather than focusing on the responsibility of perpetrators and strengthening institutional measures against sexual misconduct.
The debate has reignited broader conversations about how universities should balance personal safety education with policies that hold offenders accountable and create a safer campus environment for all students.
