By Elijah Olusina
One of the first things that stands out on campus is the diversity of fashion and dressing styles amongst students. Students wear a variety of outfits to express their personalities and emotions. It is not only about appearance, but dressing styles also serve to convey and signify the different groups or departments they are associated with. From casual wear to corporate attire, fashion has become an easy way for students to showcase their creativity and individuality.
Akorede Emmanuel, a student of Building, gave his opinion on clothing amongst students on campus, saying, ‘Most students wear what they like and what they feel comfortable in, regardless of whether it is indecent or not.
‘Also, most people like to follow trends, so they end up wearing the latest clothes or styles that are popular,' he said.
Adesoji Mary also gave her view on how students dress on campus and what might be the motivation or idea behind it.
‘Personally, I like to wear what I am comfortable in, and my dressing sometimes is just based on my mood. My style of dressing also gives me confidence and helps people know my identity,' she said.
‘I am a model, so when people see me dress the way I dress, it tells them that I am a model or something along that line, and I also get clothing ideas and inspiration from my role models.’
Additionally, campus dressing styles can also be influenced by departmental dress codes that require students in specific faculties to adhere to particular attire. For instance, Law students are required to wear black and white as their designated dress code. Similarly, Accounting students are generally expected to dress in formal corporate attire.
Inioluwa Akanbi, when asked her opinion on corporate dressing amongst students, had a unique perspective.
‘I also love to dress corporate, but not every time. Students who dress corporate every time are probably following a departmental dress code or just love dressing like that. I like to dress in different styles and not only in one way, as it can limit my creativity and expression.’
Meanwhile, earlier in July 2025, a viral dress code widely circulated across campus, where several dressing styles were tagged as ‘misconduct’, and students found guilty of wearing them risked expulsion for one (1) to two (2) semesters depending on the nature of the offence. Misconducts like wearing backless clothes, dreadlocks, or micro or skimpy dresses, nose and mouth rings attracted a one (1)-semester rustication, while coloured hairstyles, hair braiding for males, kissing, and hugging of the opposite sex warranted a two (2)-semester rustication.
While it was eventually denounced by management due to the condemnation and backlash it received from the general student community, including the Great Ife Students’ Union (GISU), its proponents still hold sway in discussions about dressing styles on campus, with some students in favour and others opposed to it.
Mosunmola, a third-year Mass Communication student, gave her opinion on the suggested dress code in an interview, stating, ‘I thought it was a joke when I first heard about it because this is a university, not a secondary school; the new clothing restrictions are overly strict, and the penalties are severe. Implementing this dress code would reduce our ability to express ourselves, and it can also hinder creativity.’
While the majority of students opposed the idea of the dress code, one student who wished to remain anonymous gave positive remarks about the dress code, stating, ‘The dress code is beneficial as it could help reduce indecency on campus since some students dress inappropriately and even bring such extreme styles into classrooms, which can distract others from their studies. However, I do disagree with the sanctions, which I find to be extreme.’
Ultimately, the way students dress reveals more than just style; it reflects their evolving identities. Whether it is a corporate outfit for a presentation or a casual look for a long day of class, each choice reflects how students feel and how they want to be seen.
As they move through school, their clothing becomes a way to express themselves, make friends, and stand out in the campus environment.
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