The way you dress is the way you'd be addressed
Dress codes, strikes, fires, and hostel wars
What’s up guyyy? 🤭😂
It’s the end of another week and, as always, campuses didn’t take a break just because we entered a new year. From dress codes sparking debates, to hostel issues, strikes, and student bodies adjusting their plans, student life stayed very active this week. If you blinked, no worries, here’s the campus gist you missed.
Babcock University Updates Dress & Grooming Rules
On Monday, January 5, Babcock University announced a major update to its dress and grooming policy ahead of the second semester. Highlights include:
• Cancellation of all hair‑pass permits — no more special exemptions for hairstyles.
• Strict control on hairstyles — dreadlocks, unkempt haircuts, and overly voluminous styles were effectively put under scrutiny.
• Clothing considered inappropriate for campus — including baggy or sagging trousers, sleeveless shirts, body‑hugging outfits, joggers, danshiki, and bubu — were flagged for avoidance.
• Enforcement was emphasized, with warnings that violators would face disciplinary action.
Student reaction? Mixed, loud, and very spicy. People were split between “Make we follow rules” and “This one pass fashion police”😑.
“So I fit no even wear trousers wey Dey comfortable? Kai.”
"Wdym I can't wait my bubu in peace again?" 😭
Whether you agree or not, this story dominated the week on campuses, especially among undergraduates who feel both personally targeted and slightly confused about what’s actually okay now.
NANS Shelves Nationwide Tax Protest Plan
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) which had planned a nationwide protest starting mid‑January against the implementation of the new tax laws announced on Jan 6 that the protest was postponed indefinitely. According to their statement, leadership opted to pursue dialogue with government agencies rather than street mobilization.
Some interpreted this as strategic, not weak. Others felt frustrated especially those who wanted a bolder, more visible protest.
Regardless of where you stand, this was a big student political headline from the week.
UNILAG Hostels Still in Chaos
All week long, from Sunday, Jan 4 through Friday, Jan 9, hostel challenges at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) made it to the internet.
Issues ongoing:
• Bed shortages & allocations
• Reports of racketeering (students allegedly charging others for space)
• Management warnings about sanctions for violators
• Students scrambling for accommodation days after resumption
An informed UNILAG student told us:
“If you see someone calm inside UNILAG hostel, e get why. Most people still dey hustle to secure space.”
This is such a classic campus struggle that for many students in different campuses not a one‑off event. This is just one that made it to the news.
LUTH Nursing Hostel Fire
On Thursday, January 8, a fire broke out at a hostel housing nursing students at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
The fire reportedly affected the building structure, forcing a two‑week partial evacuation.
Nursing students were directed to stay home temporarily while arrangements were made for online classes.
Thankfully, no casualties were officially reported.
The impact?
Aside from the obvious safety conversations, students shared everything from “How will I study like this?” to “Who’s supervising our online classes?” on various platforms.
Strike Situation in Nasarawa Tertiary Institutions
Still on the calendar this week: lecturer strikes in Nasarawa State tertiary schools. No breakthrough yet. That means No resumption of lectures in many institutions and students stuck in strike limbo
For affected students, this absence of clarity, especially after holidays, is a frustration shared in lots of campus conversations.
Let's recap,
This week showed that campuses are never quiet.
From policies affecting wardrobes and campus administration wrangles to safety scares, political repositioning, and ongoing academic limbo, all stirring discussion in halls, hostels, and WhatsApp groups.
Keep your beds firmly secured, your wardrobe strategically curated, and your group chat notifications on, because this was just the start of January theatrics.
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Catch up on previous newsletters on What's Up by 10.8.8 Africa
Until next gist,
Gbemi from 10.8.8 Africa ✨