The management of Lagos State University (LASU) has warned students, staff, and visitors against producing offensive or unauthorized skits on its campuses, following Wednesday’s scare caused by a prank video that mimicked a bandit attack.
The December 5 incident, captured in a skit titled “Bandits Prank on Lasuites,” showed individuals dressed as bandits storming the Ojo campus in a commando-style entry, triggering panic as students and passers-by fled in fear.
The episode caused a brief commotion before it was later confirmed to be staged content.
Oluwayemisi Thomas-Onashile, the university’s spokesperson, issued a statement on Friday cautioning against the increasing usage of its campuses for skits and other content that are insulting, inappropriate, and misrepresent the institution’s principles and image.
The statement read, “The Lagos State University has observed with concern the increasing unauthorized use of its campuses and facilities for content creation activities, particularly by students.
“While the university encourages creativity and responsible self-expression, it has become evident that some of the content being produced is offensive, inappropriate, and misrepresents the values and image of the institution.”
LASU stated that the warning became necessary because the growing trend of unchecked material creation on its campuses was capable of “causing reputational damage and undermining the university’s standing as a respected center of learning and character development.”
As a result, management directed that anyone wishing to conduct filming or cinematographic operations on any of the university’s campuses must now seek prior consent from the university.
The directive, it stated, applies to skits, vox pops, short films, promotional videos, and any other type of audiovisual recording made on university grounds, dormitories, or adjacent facilities.
“As a responsible institution that holds its reputation in high regard and in its commitment to preserving the sanctity of the university environment as a hub of knowledge, research, and innovation, the university hereby issues the following directive:
“All individuals, including students, staff, and members of the general public, who wish to engage in cinematographic activities on any of the university’s campuses must, henceforth, obtain prior approval from the Centre for Information and Public Relations of the university,” the statement read.
LASU also prohibits the use of drones on campus without prior approval from its security department, citing safety and privacy concerns.
