Editorial
Addressing the epidemic of sexual harassment in Nigerian higher institutions
Within Nigerian higher educational institutions, the haunting specter of sexual harassment has woven its way into the very fabric of campus life. Like a dark cloud casting its shadow over the pursuit of knowledge, this distressing issue has become all too pervasive.
In the year 2018, a survey conducted by the esteemed World Bank Group’s Women shed light on a disheartening truth. It revealed that an astonishing 70 per cent of female graduates from tertiary institutions in Nigeria had endured the harrowing experience of sexual harassment during their academic journey.
The perpetrators of this heinous act, often lurking within the very halls of academia, take the form of classmates and even lecturers. Their actions have sown the seeds of fear and vulnerability, effectively transforming the once-hallowed grounds of education into a breeding ground for distress.
However, it is crucial to address this issue head-on and ensure that justice is served to protect the rights and well-being of students.
Over the past five years, media reports have highlighted the dismissal of 35 lecturers from Nigerian tertiary institutions due to sexual misconduct. While this indicates some progress, it is clear that more needs to be done.
The recent passage of a bill by the Senate, proposing a 21-year imprisonment for lecturers found guilty of sexual harassment, was a step in the right direction.
However, it is disheartening to learn that many of the lecturers indicted and found guilty after the bill’s passage were merely sacked. This lack of accountability undermines the severity of the issue and fails to provide justice for the victims.
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has emerged as a hotspot for sexual misconduct cases. The university has taken action by suspending and dismissing several lecturers involved in such incidents.
In 2018, the indefinite suspension of Professor Richard Oladele, a renowned accounting professor, sent a strong message that sexual harassment would not be tolerated.
Similarly, in 2021, three lecturers from different departments were dismissed for their involvement in sexual harassment cases. These actions demonstrate the university’s commitment to addressing the issue.
Also, Ambrose Ali University (AAU), Ekpoma, also faced a sexual harassment scandal involving an associate professor, Monday Igbafen. The university promptly suspended Igbafen after allegations of sexual harassment emerged.
However, it is worth noting that Igbafen, who was also the branch chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities at the time, accused the vice-chancellor of framing him. This incident highlights the need for impartial investigations and fair processes to ensure justice for both the accused and the victims.
The dismissals of lecturers from the University of Port Harcourt, the Federal Polytechnic in Bauchi, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, and Kwara State University, Malete, serve as stark reminders of the urgent need for comprehensive measures to combat sexual misconduct within academia.
In August of 2021, the University of Port Harcourt took a commendable step by announcing the dismissal of a lecturer from the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature due to sexual misconduct.
Following suit, the Federal Polytechnic in Bauchi made headlines in October 2021 when it dismissed two lecturers from the departments of Nutrition/Dietetics and General Studies for engaging in sexual misconduct.
The dismissal of a lecturer from the Department of Sociology at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education for impregnating a female student was a necessary step towards upholding ethical standards. This incident highlighted the power dynamics at play within academia and the need for a safe and inclusive learning environment.
In December 2021, Kwara State University, Malete, took a firm stand against sexual misconduct by dismissing a lecturer for harassing a student in the Department of Pure and Applied Sciences. This action reinforced the university’s commitment to protecting its students from any form of abuse.
The year 2022 witnessed the Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Rivers State taking a firm stance against a lecturer who had shamelessly harassed a female student, resulting in his dismissal.
Not long after, the prestigious OAU found itself entangled in a web of scandal as allegations of sexual harassment surfaced against a professor in the Department of Linguistics and African Studies. This prompted a thorough investigation, which ultimately led to the downfall of two esteemed professors within the institution.
As the year progressed, the University of Abuja was not spared from the clutches of disgrace. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Abdul-Raheed Na’allah, made a solemn announcement in June 2022, revealing the dismissal of two lecturers who had succumbed to the darkness of sexual misconduct. Shockingly, these individuals held the esteemed title of professors, tarnishing the reputation of their academic prowess.
The year 2023 brought with it further revelations of corruption within the educational sphere. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission exposed the despicable actions of Dr. Balogun Olaniran from the Tai Solarin University of Education. This lecturer had shamelessly demanded sexual favors from a female student in exchange for altering her results, a grave betrayal of trust.
In the same year, the Kogi State Polytechnic bid farewell to a lecturer named Abutu Thompson. His dismissal was a direct consequence of his abhorrent behavior, involving sexual harassment and victimization of a female student in the Department of Computer Science.
Such actions not only shattered the dreams of the victim but also tainted the reputation of the institution.The Ambrose Alli University in Edo State was not immune to the epidemic of sexual harassment. Reports emerged in May, detailing the dismissal of an unnamed lecturer. The institution’s Staff Disciplinary Committee had found him guilty of this heinous offense, leading to his expulsion from the academic realm.
The dismissed lecturer attempted to justify his actions by claiming they were mere advances, but his plea for forgiveness at the girl’s church only served to highlight the depth of his wrongdoing.
The University of Abuja once again found itself embroiled in scandal in July 2023. The Vice-Chancellor, Na’allah, reluctantly revealed the dismissal of two lecturers following allegations of sexual harassment.
In August, the University of Calabar faced its own reckoning as the embattled Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Cyril Ndifon, was suspended amidst allegations of sexual harassment.
The year 2023 took a grim turn when the University of Lagos suspended a lecturer named Kadri Babalola on September 7. The accusation against him was nothing short of horrifying – the rape of a 21-year-old student.
These incidents of sexual harassment and misconduct within Nigerian institutions cast a shadow over the pursuit of knowledge and the sanctity of the student-teacher relationship. They serve as a call to action, demanding that universities prioritize the safety and well-being of their students, and that perpetrators be held accountable for their actions. Only through collective efforts can the academic realm be purged of such darkness, allowing the light of education to shine brightly once more.
The call for action against sexual harassment in universities has been echoed by Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
In a bid to combat this issue, Prof Osodeke urged students to report any cases of sexual harassment to the school authorities and the student union
The prevalence of sexual harassment in Nigerian higher educational institutions is a grave concern that demands immediate attention. While some institutions have taken commendable steps to address the issue, more needs to be done to ensure accountability and protect the rights of students.
Additionally, the government must enforce the recently passed bill and ensure that lecturers found guilty of sexual harassment face appropriate legal consequences. Only through collective efforts can we create a safe and inclusive educational environment for all students in Nigeria.
No underdeveloped country likes the appellation but adjectives are sometimes self-generated. Diseases ravage them, as well as, poor government accountability. Nigeria, for instance, has recently been under the heat of an ancient disease, Cholera. Cholera is caused by poor hygiene, occasioned by lack of social amenities, such as, potable drinking water, poor healthcare services, poverty, among others.
The disease is usually endemic in underdeveloped countries like Nigeria.
Mostly affected are people living in slums, ghettos and the likes.
For Nigeria to still be found under the above described bracket simply points to poor leadership.
Otherwise why would a country that ranks amongst the highest oil producers in the world be associated with slums and ghettos.
At sixty three Nigeria is still grappling with underdevelopment, to the extent that its citizens suffer from cholera.
As at the last count over twenty five states have been affected by the cholera outbreak, no thanks to the Nigerian government.
Why won’t they? After all, there is no potable drinking water, no adequate health care services, no food due to the high cost of living as against the pitiable per capita income of the citizens, among others.
These social amenities can only be provided by a responsible government, which to the best of our knowledge, Nigeria is lacking.
How do you reconcile a situation where citizens provide their own water, hospitals, roads, electric power and other infrastructures. And because the government is idle and does not know what to do it indulges in all manner of corruption, the result is that the citizens wallow in abject poverty to the extent of coming down with diseases like cholera.
When last have we heard of an epidemic like cholera breaking out in developed countries of the world? It is unthinkable! The reason is that these nations are where reasonable people lead and are qualified to be called leaders.
What do we have in Nigeria? Direct opposite, of course. Yet still the political class live like lords and are proud to be worshipped by the pauperised populace. Why won’t such society become a breeding ground for bacteria, viruses and other disease causing agents?
It is unsurprising that Nigeria could fall victim to the cholera epidemic in this century, where several lives are lost and still counting.
As at the last count, about 90 percent of Nigerians are living under the poverty line,with abysmal per capita income. Why won’t there be a cholera epidemic?
Majority of the boreholes in the country today do not meet quality standards of such amenity and because government has failed in its responsibility of providing potable water,its health agencies saddled with the responsibility of regulating standards,which includes potable drinking water cannot carry out its oversight function of regulating private boreholes.
How do you regulate what you cannot produce? The result is catastrophe, resulting in unwholesome water being churned out for public consumption. We know of some boreholes being sunk close to soakaway pits and yet people drink from them.
It is common sense that when inflation becomes so high in a given society, people tend to cut corners in what they consume in regard to their purchasing power. It is also important to mention that illiteracy plays an important role in preventing diseases like cholera. How often have government organs charged with the responsibility of sensitising the people on healthy habits and hygiene done their jobs?
For God’s sake, cholera is preventable and curable. The suffering is pointless, self-made, government-induced. Even the smaller and poorer countries in Africa have since outgrown diseases like cholera. And Nigeria, touting to be a giant of Africa still suffers from teething problems.
Our government at all levels should sit up and do the needful as leaders. Citizens should equally discharge their civic responsibilities. There is no sense in dwelling in unhygienic habits,which end up endangering our lives.
If the government cannot provide public toilets, individuals or groups should come together and provide the same, bearing in mind that the consequences of open defecation come, government officials and families may not be affected. We are yet to see where epidemics like cholera ravaged the Government Reserved Areas (GRAs), where their officers and their families live.
No amount of window dressing can save us. The Kenyan example is recent. The Nigerian populace must rise from its slumber and demand of its government that which it needs.
The revival of Nigeria’s interest in energy transition, power, climate change and green economic solutions has raised high expectations within the extractive industries.
The recent constitution of a Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions and the appointment of focal persons was a fundamental step to redefining the country’s necessary next steps going forward.
Before this development, hopes on the way forward after the country’s participation at the Dubai Summit remained unclear to many.
The new development was therefore viewed by industry analysts as a major reinvestment of political and social capital into the global debate by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
It is noteworthy that the Presidential Committee and the appointed focal persons were handed specific mandates and responsibilities of coordinating and overseeing all policies and programmes on climate action and green economic solutions required to revive, redefine and reposition the country’s interests.
With the United Nations’ projection that Nigeria’s population will rise to about 400 million people in the next 20 years, an unprecedented increase in energy demand and the obvious pressure that will bring to bear on energy financing in developing countries, including Nigeria, the work of the Committee is both important and urgent.
The utmost importance is the urgency to review existing plans, especially in the context of understanding content, context and the comprehensive nature of the issues involved, the associated risks and the potential opportunities.
By its work and nature of operations, NEITI is equipped to support the country’s engagement in the areas of provision of access to credible information and data. This will be required to drive forward-looking analysis, underpin dialogue on policy responses as well as promote evidence-led public debate.
In addition, credible information and data are also essential in policy formulation, analysis of the legal and fiscal framework governing the extractive industries, climate change and greenhouse emissions.
Data is equally important in addressing climate change-induced environmental problems, public education and enlightenment that supports public understanding of government policies related to the energy transition agenda.
For instance, NEITI’s recent report on the oil and gas industry disclosed a total unremitted revenue of gas royalty payments of $559.8 million and another unremitted sum of $828.8 million from unpaid gas flare penalties.
A close look at these figures revealed that more gas resources were flared during the period than utilised, thereby posing serious dangers to the global zero emissions agenda and Nigeria’s commitment to the net zero emissions by 2060.
Apart from gas flaring, other major sources of dangerous emissions, massive environmental pollution and damage to the ecosystems include oil theft, illegal bunkering and refineries, pipeline vandalisation. Data from NEITI Reports between 2009 and 2021 disclosed that Nigeria lost 619.7million barrels of crude oil, valued at $46.16billion, or the equivalent of N16.25 trillion between 2009 and 2020.
In addition, Nigeria lost about 4.2 billion litres of petroleum products from refineries, valued at $1.84 billion at the rate of 140,000 barrels per day, from 2009 to 2018.
During the Ongoing Energy Week, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Lokpobiri Heineken has disclosed that the economic downturn confronting the country can be addressed by the oil and gas sector.
According to him, the oil and gas sector has been a significant contributor to Nigeria’s economy and relying solely on this sector to solve economic challenges in terms of expanding the sector to include petrochemicals, refining, and manufacturing can create new revenue streams and reduce dependence on crude oil exports.
While investing in new technologies and infrastructure can boost oil and gas production, leading to increased revenue thereby improving the economy.
He encouraged local content and value addition in the sector creating millions of jobs and stimulating economic growth. Effective management of oil and gas revenues, such as investing in sovereign wealth funds, can provide a cushion against economic shocks. Encouraging local procurement, services, and manufacturing in the sector can create economic linkages and stimulate growth.Fostering a business-friendly environment to attract investment and drive growth.
The Minister added that adopting a comprehensive approach that includes both the oil and gas sector and other sectors, Nigeria can more effectively address its economic challenges.
In the power sector, the Minister of power, Adebao Adelabu emphasised on the need to “achieve our 30 percent Renewable Energy target. I urge you to consider the significant benefits of investing in renewable energy projects in Nigeria. Our country boasts abundant resources, particularly solar, wind, and hydro energy, providing a remarkable opportunity for sustainable growth. The renewable energy market has grown tremendously in the last decade, with over $1 billion leveraged by Multilateral Development Banks.”
“By channelling investments into these renewable sources, we can effectively meet our carbon emission targets while playing a crucial role in combating climate change.
“As demonstrated by our recently completed $550 million Nigeria Electrification Project, investing in renewable energy helps reduce carbon emissions, enhance energy security, and support economic development. Additionally, to complement the NEP, the $750 million DARES project would provide electricity to 2.5 million people in Nigeria by deploying solar home systems and mini-grids.”
These investments will propel Nigeria toward achieving its desired energy mix and transition targets as he reaffirmed unwavering commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2060.
It is critical that decisions and programmes at ongoing energy week will usher in a new dimension that will assist in shifting from the crude oil dominated energy to gas focused economy.
Ritual killings have plunged Nigeria into a state of fear and despair, claiming countless lives and leaving families shattered.
This barbaric practice, driven by the misguided belief that human body parts can bring wealth and power, has become an appalling reality across the nation. It is a gross violation of human dignity and a stain on our societal fabric.
Recent data from the National Human Rights Commission paints a grim picture, with over 200 reported cases of ritual killings between 2018 and 2020 alone.
The victims are often the most vulnerable members of society — children, women, and the elderly. They fall prey to individuals consumed by greed and superstition, who perpetrate these heinous acts under the guise of ancient rituals.
The root causes of ritual killings are complex and intertwined with socio-economic factors. Poverty, lack of education, and unemployment create fertile ground for exploitation by ritualists who promise quick riches through ghastly means.
These beliefs are reinforced by myths and superstitions, perpetuated by a few for personal gain at the expense of innocent lives.
The victims of ritual killings leave behind heartbreaking stories that devastate their loved ones and communities.
In 2020, a tragic example was the abduction and murder of a seven-year-old boy in Lagos, whose body was found mutilated with vital organs removed.
Similarly, a young woman’s life was brutally cut short, and her body was desecrated with the removal of her breasts and genital organs, allegedly for ritual purposes. These heinous crimes leave behind inconsolable families and a society torn apart by fear, grief, and outrage.
Law enforcement agencies in Nigeria face daunting challenges in combating ritual killings. Investigations are hindered by a lack of forensic evidence and witness testimonies.
There are disturbing allegations of influential figures shielding perpetrators from justice, further complicating efforts to eradicate this scourge.
To effectively tackle this crisis, Nigeria must adopt a multifaceted approach. Firstly, law enforcement agencies need adequate resources and training to conduct thorough investigations and prosecute perpetrators without interference.
Secondly, educational initiatives must debunk myths surrounding ritual killings, promoting values that emphasise the sanctity of human life. Economic empowerment programs are crucial to provide viable alternatives to vulnerable individuals susceptible to the lure of quick wealth.
Traditional and religious leaders also play a pivotal role in eradicating these practices.
They must actively condemn ritual killings and educate their communities about the devastating consequences of such acts. Society at large must unite in condemning these crimes and supporting victims’ families through advocacy and practical assistance.
Furthermore, the judiciary must ensure that those responsible for ritual killings face swift and severe punishment. By securing convictions and imposing stringent penalties, the justice system can deter potential perpetrators and provide closure to grieving families.
It is important for Nigeria to act decisively against ritual killings. The future of our nation depends on safeguarding the sanctity of human life and ensuring justice for all.
Let us unite in our resolve to root out this evil and build a society where every individual can live without fear of falling victim to such atrocities.
As we move forward, let us hold our leaders accountable for their actions and demand concrete steps to end ritual killings. Together, we can create a Nigeria where human life is cherished and protected, free from the shadows of ritualistic violence.
Nigeria is grappling with the scourge of ritual killings, which poses a significant threat to human life and dignity. Law enforcement agencies face formidable challenges in investigating and prosecuting these cases due to lack of forensic evidence and eyewitness testimony.
Furthermore, allegations of complicity and protection of perpetrators by powerful individuals or groups hinder justice.
To combat this menace, a multifaceted approach is imperative. Firstly, law enforcement agencies must be empowered to investigate and prosecute ritual killing cases effectively, without interference or influence. Secondly, education and economic empowerment programs can address the root causes of this problem by providing alternatives to poverty and ignorance.
Thirdly, engaging with traditional and religious leaders is crucial to debunk myths and superstitions driving ritual killings.
Society must come together to condemn ritual killings, support victims’ families, and promote cultural values that emphasise human life’s sanctity and dignity. Parents, guardians, and community leaders must guide young people and instil positive values to prevent their involvement in ritual killings.
Strengthening security and judicial response is critical, with thorough investigations, increased patrols, and effective prosecution leading to convictions and appropriate punishments.
We can create a society where human life is valued and respected. Holding leaders accountable for their actions and inactions is essential, demanding concrete steps to address this issue and ensure justice for victims and their families.
Let us act now to honour the memories of those lost and protect our children from this senseless violence.
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