The Student Affairs Division of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has sparked intense public debate and criticism following the deployment of roll-up counselling banners across campus offering controversial anti-rape and sexual harassment advisories targeted exclusively at female undergraduates.
The banners, positioned at various strategic points within the university premises, instructed female students to adopt strict precautionary lifestyle measures to avoid sexual violence.
Among the directives listed on the university’s guide were instructions such as:
“Do not dress to kill.”
“Do not shake hands anyhow with any man.”
“Do not mingle carelessly with men.”
“Do not stay alone with a man in a hidden place.”
“Do not seek unnecessary favour from men.”
“Do not join to watch pornographic film/pictures.”
“Do not accept intoxicants and be vigilant when you are served with drinks.”
“Do not give in to pressure – be assertive. Learn to say no.”
“One-time sex can cause you pregnancy; if you don’t want it, don’t try it.”
Outrage and victim-blaming allegations
The advisories quickly drew sharp criticism from gender rights advocates, civil society groups, and the student body, who accused the institution of reinforcing harmful victim-blaming narratives and placing the burden of preventing sexual violence on female students rather than addressing perpetrator accountability.
Reacting to the campaign, the UNILAG Students’ Union Government (SUG), led by President Bolaji Akinpelu, issued a formal statement expressing concern over the tone and framing of the materials.
“Awareness campaigns should empower students with practical safety knowledge without implying that a survivor’s clothing, appearance, choices, or circumstances either cause sexual violence or reduce the responsibility of the perpetrator,” the SUG stated, reminding the university administration that sole responsibility for sexual violence rests with the offender.
Critics further highlighted that none of the guidance displayed on the banners was directed at male students or focused on boundary awareness, consent, or deterrence against perpetrating assault.
Backlash amid broader campus scrutiny
The public outcry coincides with heightened scrutiny around campus safety and institutional handling of sexual misconduct cases in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
While campus administration authorities have maintained that the campaign was designed purely as a preventative guidance initiative by its counselling unit, civil rights advocates continue to push for the university to retire the material in favour of comprehensive consent education, transparent reporting channels, and stricter enforcement of sexual harassment policies against perpetrators.
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