On Monday, the Federal Government mandated that all tertiary institutions in Nigeria establish Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) to tackle the alarming issues of students soliciting sexual favors from lecturers in return for favorable grades, as well as instances of harassment and gender-based violence on campuses.This directive was announced by the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, during a national summit in Abuja organized by Alliances for Africa in partnership with the Committee on Gender Directors in Nigeria, marking the commencement of the 16 Days of Activism Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence.The announcement follows the recent clearance of a female student, Ramota Olahanloye, for graduation at the Federal University in Oye Ekiti, after her final-year examination scripts were re-evaluated. Olahanloye had accused lecturer Dr. Anthony Agbegbedia of demanding sexual favors and subsequently failing her in two courses after she refused his advances.Minister Suleiman-Ibrahim emphasized that to effectively address this issue, it is essential to implement timely interventions and provide support for survivors within the proposed centres. She urged university leaders to prioritize the creation of SARCs to facilitate immediate assistance for affected individuals within their institutions.The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting gender equality, eliminating gender-based violence (GBV), and fostering safe academic environments under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. She outlined plans for collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, universities, and other stakeholders to launch nationwide campaigns against sexual harassment.”It is encouraging to see so many Gender Centre Directors from various universities across Nigeria participating in this initiative. Recent high-profile cases have underscored the widespread nature of sexual harassment in higher education institutions,” she stated.She cited the BBC Africa Eye documentary “Sex for Grades,” which exposed disturbing accounts of lecturers soliciting sexual favors from students in exchange for academic advantages. This documentary not only garnered international attention but also ignited a national outcry for reform.“These incidents highlight the critical need for effective reporting systems, survivor-focused support structures, and prompt disciplinary measures against offenders,” she concluded.
