Lagos State University has issued a ban on all unauthorised content creation and filming across its campuses, following a prank video that sparked panic among students and staff.

The order came after a December 5 incident when a skit called “Bandits Prank on Lasuites” caused panic at Ojo campus. The video showed people dressed as bandits breaking into the university, which scared students and passers-by, though it was later confirmed to be just a staged prank.

LASU’s spokesperson, Oluwayemisi Thomas-Onashile said in a statement on Friday that the university is worried about people using its campus without permission to make videos and other content. The university also noted that some of this content is offensive, inappropriate, and gives a wrong impression of its values and reputation.

The university warned that allowing people to make content on campus without control could harm its reputation and weaken its image as a respected place for learning and character building. According to the new rule, anyone, whether students, staff, or visitors who wants to make videos or films on any LASU campus must first get permission from the Centre for Information and Public Relations. This includes skits, interviews, short films, promotional videos, or any kind of recording on campus, in hostels, or nearby areas.

Additionally, LASU has banned the use of drones on campus without formal authorisation from its security department, citing safety and privacy concerns.

The university also emphasized its commitment to preserving the sanctity of the campus environment as a hub of knowledge, research, and innovation, while encouraging responsible creativity and self-expression among students. However, the directive takes immediate effect across all LASU campuses.