Rivers State University Proposes Fines for Indecent Dressing Offences

Port Harcourt — The Management of Rivers State University (RSU) is set to introduce monetary fines for students found guilty of indecent dressing on campus.

The proposal, presented by the Director of Quality Assurance, Engr. Prof. A. H. Igoni, was deliberated at the University Management Committee meeting held on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. The Committee resolved that the Registrar should extract the list of offences and corresponding penalties for consideration by the Senate.

This move builds on a resolution previously adopted by the RSU Senate during its 291st Regular Meeting on September 29, 2022, which officially banned indecent dressing and was communicated to the university community in a memo dated October 19, 2022.

List of Prohibited Dressing Styles

According to the Directorate of Quality Assurance, the following are categorized as indecent dressing offences:

• Wearing of spaghetti gowns by female students

• Wearing of short skirts above the knee

• Sagging of trousers by male and female students

• Colouring of hair by both genders

• Wearing of earrings by male students and nose rings by females

• Tattoos on any part of the body

• Wearing of ankle chains by female students

• Long artificial eyelashes by female students

• Crop tops or blouses that expose the navel or breasts

• Transparent clothing that exposes underwear

• Ripped or tattered jeans

• Wearing of bathroom slippers or bum shorts to classrooms

• Attending class without a bra (female students)

• Unauthorized dreadlocks or braided hair by male students

Proposed Fine Schedule

The proposal outlines specific fines for offenders, ranging from ₦5,000 to ₦10,000 depending on the offence:

• ₦5,000 Fine: spaghetti gowns, short skirts above the knee, sagging trousers, coloured hair, ankle chains, long eyelashes, tattered jeans, bathroom slippers, bum shorts, attending class without a bra.

• ₦10,000 Fine: earrings by male students, nose rings, tattoos, crop tops exposing the navel, low-neck blouses exposing cleavage, transparent clothing revealing underwear, unauthorized dreadlocks or braids by male students.

The Registrar, Mrs. I. B. S. Harry, confirmed the proposal and noted that the fines, if approved by Senate, would serve as deterrents to restore discipline and promote decency within the university community.

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The development has sparked widespread debate among students. While some agree that the measure will enforce discipline and protect the university’s image, others argue that the fines are excessive and could create avenues for extortion.

The final decision now rests with the RSU Senate, which will consider and possibly approve the fines in its upcoming sitting.

See MEMO