Students from the University of Ilorin in Kwara State and the Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta, Ogun State, have launched campaigns aimed at combating Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) on their campuses, as part of the Project Safe Zones initiative.
These campaigns were initiated following a series of training sessions, facilitated by the NGO Girl Up and led by the gender rights organization VARSH Foundation.Under the leadership of Aworanti Salvation, the founder of VARSH and a recipient of the Girl Up Project Award, the training took place from March 24 to March 28, 2025, and involved 37 students from both universities.
The sessions equipped participants with the knowledge and advocacy skills necessary to prevent SGBV within their campus communities.
This initiative goes beyond mere awareness; it’s about instigating real change on campus,” Salvation stated in a press release on Monday. “By empowering student advocates to identify warning signs and support their peers, we are establishing a sustainable network that will continue to promote safety and respect long after the campaigns conclude.
Following the training, attendees immediately began implementing SGBV awareness campaigns across their campuses. Ganiyu Bukola, Assistant General Secretary of the UNILORIN Students’ Union, and Alakoso Mariam, Vice President of the FUNAAB Students’ Union, expressed their support for these initiatives.
The campaigns are designed to foster safer campus environments by educating students on how to identify and prevent various forms of sexual and gender-based violence.“Project Safe Zones marks a significant advancement in tackling a pressing issue that impacts university students throughout Nigeria. By prioritizing prevention through education and advocacy, this program adopts a proactive stance rather than merely reacting to incidents post-occurrence,” the statement concluded.
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