By Sandra Jonathan
“As a 400-level student, I have been involved in affairs with one of my lecturers since my 200 level. Now, I feel trapped and conflicted about continuing the affair for good grades, but I’m unsure how to end it without jeopardising my future. It initially started with me needing academic help because I was struggling with my grades, but instead, he told me the only way to pass his course was to sleep with him. Out of desperation, I agreed, knowing it was wrong. Since then, the affair has been going on, and I have maintained good grades.” says Funmi (not real name), a student at Fulafia, when we collated stories earlier this year on the AWDF project.
This is just one student’s story, which reflects the silent battles many students face in our tertiary institutions. Sexual harassment remains a menace and an often unaddressed issue in Nigerian tertiary institutions. While educational institutions are meant to be a safe and empowering space, many students, especially young women and girls find themselves vulnerable to unwanted sexual attention from peers and lecturers alike. This unspoken menace is perpetuated by a culture of silence, fear of repercussions, and ineffective policies that safeguard students thereby creating a hostile environment that compromises students academic experiences and well-being.
Sexual harassment in educational institutions takes various forms, from physical and verbal harassment to the abuse of power by those in authority. The most prominent within the academic environment is the physical or verbal form that ties academic progress to sexual favors. Sexual harassment encompasses any unsolicited or unwanted sexual attention, whether verbal, physical, or otherwise. Victims of harassment may be either students or staff, and the experience often violates their dignity, especially when it creates an environment of humiliation, degradation, or hostility.
In a 2018 survey conducted by the World Bank Women’s Group, 70% of female graduates from Nigerian tertiary institutions reported having experienced sexual harassment during their studies, with classmates and lecturers among the primary perpetrators. This statistic sheds light on the widespread nature of harassment and the urgent need for effective intervention. Despite some efforts by educational institutions to combat this issue, the harassment continues largely unchecked due to various systemic and cultural barriers.
To combat sexual harassment, many Nigerian tertiary institutions have put in place measures to prevent the menace. However, the repercussions that come with reporting incidences have made the issue of sexual harassment continue to go unchecked in schools. The gaps in the clear reporting channels, monitoring, and accountability system in our educational institutions have also been identified as a major issue that has contributed to the persistence of sexual harassment in schools. Additionally, many institutions lack comprehensive sexual harassment or safeguarding policies, and where such policies do exist, awareness is often limited, leaving students unsure of the reporting procedures and uncertain about the support available to them. The power imbalance between lecturers and students further exacerbates the problem. Lecturers often hold significant control over students’ academic outcomes, making it difficult for victims to report harassment without fear of retaliation.
To build on institutional efforts and address these challenges, organisations such as Education as a Vaccine (EVA) have actively been supporting and promoting safer learning environments. With funding from the African Women Development Fund (AWDF), EVA has been working in tertiary institutions across Nigeria to promote the rights of students’, especially adolescent girls and young women, to a safe learning environment . Through awareness campaigns, dialogues, capacity strengthening, and policy advocacy, EVA and other organisations are pushing for comprehensive and sustainable solutions to combat sexual harassment in schools.
Addressing sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions requires a multi-faceted approach. Sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions is a pressing issue that demands urgent attention and action. With the right policies, awareness programs, and support systems in place, institutions can foster an environment of safety and respect where all students can pursue their education without fear of harassment. The passage of the Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Institutions Bill by the National Assembly and the House of Representatives is a significant step toward addressing this issue. However, the progress is incomplete until the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria assents to this bill.
The assent to the Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Institutions Bill by the President would be a transformative milestone in addressing sexual harassment within Nigerian higher institution. By signing this bill into law, the President would affirm a national commitment to protecting students from abuse thereby fostering safe learning environments. The bill seeks to establish clear legal frameworks for addressing sexual harassment, including robust reporting mechanisms, stringent penalties for offenders, and protections for survivors against retaliation.
Beyond serving as a deterrent to perpetrators, the bill would also empower victims to come forward with the assurance of justice and institutional support. It would compel educational institutions to adopt and enforce comprehensive sexual harassment policies, promote awareness, and strengthen monitoring and accountability systems.
This step would signal a crucial shift from silence to action, sending a clear message that harassment has no place in Nigerian schools and reaffirming the right of every student to pursue their education free from fear or exploitation. The assent to the bill would not only protect current students but also set a precedent for safeguarding future generations, making education in Nigeria truly empowering for all.
On the Rights and Realities Podcast this week, listen to Sandra Jonathan, Oluwatosin Alagbe and Bernard Otu Assim-Ita speak on Sexual Harassment in tertiary Institution
Education as a Vaccine (EVA) 
