The Alliance for Africa (AfA) has urged stakeholders to work together to break the culture of silence and dismantle the structures that enable sexual harassment at Nigeria high institutions of learning.
Executive Director of AFA, Iheoma Obibi, made the call at a national summit on sexual harassment in Nigeria tertiary institution on Monday in Abuja.
The event was organised by AfA in collaboration with the Committee of Gender Directors in Nigeria (CGDN).
Obibi also called for collective efforts in building a future where every student could learn and thrive without fear, intimidation, or reprisals.
She said that for long, a culture of silence, impunity and inadequate responses had allowed perpetrators to operate with little fear of accountability.
“We must now ask ourselves: How can we collectively disrupt this culture? How can we strengthen reporting mechanisms, ensure that victims are supported and empowered, and hold perpetrators accountable,” she said.
The theme of the summit was “Combating Sexual Harassment in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions and Strengthening Mechanisms for Change: A Critical National Imperative”.
Obibi said that goal of the summit was to explore sustainable strategies, policies, and mechanisms that would ensure Nigerian tertiary institutions were safe and respectful.
Obibi said it was also to create conducive learning environments for all students, regardless of gender.
The Coordinator of CGDNU, Prof. Ufuoma Awhefeada, said that sexual harassment had far reaching consequences for national development.
Awhefeada called on all organisations and government to seek out ways of supporting the Gender Centres in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
She said that where possible, they should adopt the gender centre of an institution to provide funding and logistic support to enhance the work of the centres.
“I urge our participants to engage fully and robustly in the sessions, sharing your insights and perspectives, at the same time listening deeply to the experiences of others and draw the necessary lessons to improve the work we do.
“Let us work together to create a Nigeria where all individuals can pursue their academic and professional goals without fear of sexual harassment,’’ she said.
Prof. Andrew Haruna, the General Secretary, the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), said that addressing sexual harassment in schools was critical in achieving Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Haruna, represented by Karen Daaor, Head of Communication, CVCNU, commended AFA for organising the event.
“This event reflects the shared commitment of all stakeholders in our education sector to foster environments that uphold dignity, equity, and safety within our institutions,” he said.
Haruna expressed CVCNU’s commitment to supporting AFA’s initiative and collaborating with all stakeholders to strengthen the foundations of Nigerian higher education through cooperation and service.
Highlights of the event include the unveiling of the preliminary findings of the National Campus Climate Baseline Survey Report on Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria conducted by AfA.
