Babcock University has announced a sweeping crackdown on student appearance, outlawing dreadlocks, beards, and several popular clothing styles in a move the institution says is necessary to maintain its “unique identity.”
The Seventh-day Adventist-owned university, located in Ogun State, issued the directive ahead of the second semester starting in January 2026. In a sternly worded statement, the administration also declared all previously issued “hair passes”—special permits allowing students to maintain specific hairstyles for medical or personal reasons—as “illegal documents” that are now null and void.
’Zero tolerance’ for unapproved styles
The new regulations target both male and female students with specific prohibitions on modern fashion trends. Male students are now strictly barred from keeping dreadlocks, beards of any kind, or “voluminous and unkempt hair.”
Female students have been warned against “extreme, indecent, or inconsistent hairstyles,” as well as clothing made from body-hugging or lycra materials.
”The university will not entertain excuses, appeals, or claims of ignorance,” said Olaniyi Arije, Vice President for Student Development, in a statement released Thursday. “Compliance with the provisions of the Student Handbook is mandatory, as the university will vigorously pursue and enforce its policies on personal appearance.”
Restricted garments and ‘walk-out’ wear
Beyond hair, the university has expanded its list of banned clothing during official academic hours. The prohibited list now includes:
Joggers and sportswear (outside of designated athletic periods) Sleeveless blouses and dresses Baggy, boot-cut, or over-length trousers Traditional Bùbù and Dànsiki outfits (during stipulated official periods) Scarves tied over corporate or academic wear
The management further clarified that students found in possession of these items on campus would face immediate disciplinary action.
The ‘hair-pass’ controversy
The most significant shift in policy is the total cancellation of the “hair-pass” system. Historically, these tags provided students a waiver from standard grooming rules, often for dermatological reasons.
”The use, circulation, or recognition of hair-pass in any form is henceforth outlawed,” the statement read, adding that any student found relying on such a document would be investigated for a “direct violation” of university regulations.
University officials maintain that the move is part of a broader effort to prepare students for “future career success” by enforcing a professional image. However, the announcement has sparked intense debate among the student body, with many taking to social media to question the timing of the enforcement just as examinations approach.
Management has advised all students to review the updated Student Handbook to ensure their wardrobes and hairstyles align with the new standards before returning to campus for the new semester.
