The Controversial Death of 17-Year-Old Joshua Daniel Ejigbo at a Nigerian University: Revisiting the Advocacy for Child Safeguarding System

The recent deaths of two university students under troubling circumstances have raised urgent questions about the safety and protection policies in higher education institutions in Nigeria. Akpo Alex, a 22-year-old second-year Mechanical Engineering student at Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), was allegedly beaten to death by fellow students over accusations of phone theft. Similarly, Joshua Daniel Ejigbo, a 17-year-old first-year Computer Science student at Veritas University, Abuja, allegedly collapsed and died, with his parents contesting the university's claim and suggesting he was attacked.

These incidents highlight a critical issue: the need for robust safeguarding and protection policies for children and young people in universities. According to the United Nations, youth is defined as individuals between the ages of 15 and 24, while the Child’s Rights Act of 2003 in Nigeria classifies anyone below 18 as a child. Thus, Joshua Daniel Ejigbo's death, at the age of 17, emphasizes the necessity for child protection measures within university systems.

Current Policies and Responses:

In response to Akpo Alex's death, Ajayi Crowther University has stated that the matter was reported to the police, and the university management paid a condolence visit to his parents. However, questions remain about the adequacy of these actions. Is it sufficient for a university to merely respond after such tragedies occur? What preventive measures are in place to ensure such incidents do not happen?

The situation with Veritas University is even more concerning. The university claimed that Joshua Daniel Ejigbo slumped and died, but his parents have produced an autopsy report indicating bruises and suggesting foul play. This discrepancy points to a lack of transparency and accountability in handling the matter, further highlighting the need for clear policies and protective measures.

?Proposing a Child Safeguarding and Protection Policy:

?In September 2019, I was engaged by UNICEF and the Federal Ministry of Education, Nigeria, to provide a technical review of the National Policy and Implementation Guidelines on Violence-Free Schools for Children in Nigeria. These national documents are intended for use by all private and public schools across the country. During this engagement, I strongly advocated for the inclusion of a Child Safeguarding and Protection System within universities and other institutions of higher learning. I proposed that this system be codified into policy, detailed through specific processes, and supported by comprehensive training for all stakeholders, with the aim of establishing and fostering a culture of child safeguarding and protection in higher education.

?My proposal underwent thorough scrutiny by other practitioners at the meeting, as well as by parents who shared personal experiences that corroborated my position. There was unanimous agreement with my recommendations, and they were included in the communique of the national review meeting. Despite this, as of now, I am not aware that the Federal Ministry of Education has implemented these recommendations.

?Children in universities and other institutions of higher learning—those under 18—should be rare. However, due to various factors, including the structure of the Nigerian educational system and parental pressures, many children find themselves in higher education institutions. For example, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) allows students to sit for entrance exams at 16, and it is documented that children as young as 12 and 13 have been permitted to write JAMB, resulting in students as young as 14, 15, or 16 being admitted to universities. In a particular instance, a state university in Nigeria admitted a 12-year-old into the university through their pre-degree program.

?Given this reality, universities and other institutions of higher learning must adopt specific measures to protect these young students. This includes:

1. Developing Clear Policies: Universities should establish and enforce child safeguarding and protection policies, clearly outlining procedures to prevent and address bullying, harassment, and other forms of abuse.

2. Training and Awareness: All university staff, faculty, and students should be trained on these policies and the importance of protecting minors within the university environment.

3. Regular Monitoring and Evaluation: Universities should regularly review and assess the effectiveness of their safeguarding policies, making necessary adjustments to ensure continuous improvement.

The Way Forward:

The tragic deaths of Akpo Alex and Joshua Daniel Ejigbo serve as a sobering reminder of the gaps in our current systems. The federal government has considered setting the minimum age for university admission at 18, but until such policies are fully implemented, universities must take proactive steps to protect their youngest students.

In conclusion, the issue of child protection in universities and other institutions of learning is not just about policy but about ensuring the safety and well-being of all students, including a significant population of children as young as 12 years old in some instances. Children in higher education institutions must be accorded the level of protection they need, as their status as children does not change simply because they are in a university or other higher institutions. It is crucial for universities to implement comprehensive child safeguarding and protection systems, codified into policy and broken down into processes on which every stakeholder is trained. This approach aims to entrench child protection as a culture, preventing future tragedies and ensuring a safe learning environment for all students.

Thank you.