No Progress Without Protection: Addressing Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria for a Safe Education

No society can truly thrive if it treats 50% of its population with disdain. If young girls cannot acquire an education in peace and safety, we will never achieve the development we so desperately seek. When our daughters spend their time in universities dodging the predatory clutches of lecturers and non-academic staff who are meant to be their role models, it is no surprise that we risk raising generations of emotionally and physically scarred women—unproductive, dependent, and burdened with trauma. (HE Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi).

This is the reality we face. But it doesn’t have to remain this way.

Thus, on 25th November 2024, Alliances for Africa (AfA), in collaboration with the Committee for Gender Directors in Nigerian Universities with support from Co-Impact hosted a historic National Summit to confront the epidemic of sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions with the theme Combating Sexual Harassment in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions and Strengthening Mechanisms for Change: A Critical National Imperative.

Key stakeholders, including representatives from the Committee of Vice Chancellors, Federal Ministry of Education, National Universities Commission (NUC), ICPC, NHRC, NAWOJ, the Media, ASUU, NANS, Civil Society Organizations, the Nigerian Governors' Spouses Forum, and diplomatic partners, were present and declared in accord with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence: No Excuse for Sexual Harassment!

The focus was to raise awareness about sexual harassment in tertiary institutions using data-driven insights, strengthen prevention and response mechanisms through stakeholder collaboration, and drive policy and systemic changes to ensure safe, more accountable campuses.

As we commemorate the International Day of Education 2025 with the theme: Artificial intelligence (AI) and Education: -preserving human agency in a world of automation, we spotlight this summit and its outcomes to emphasize the intrinsic link between access to safe education and sustainable development. Addressing sexual harassment in tertiary institutions is a critical step towards educational advancement.

The Role of Leadership and Technology

The leadership of tertiary institutions must demonstrate seriousness in tackling this issue. They must break the culture of abuse, silence, and impunity that has allowed this epidemic to fester for too long. Now is the time to ethically integrate artificial intelligence and technology into university systems to prevent, detect, report, and respond to incidents of sexual harassment.

AI and technology, when deployed ethically, can play a transformative role in building and automating systems. From data collection to real-time reporting systems, institutions can create safe campuses where students, particularly young girls, can focus on learning without fear. But this requires intentional investment, strong policies, strong commitment, and, above all, political will for enforcement for systemic change.

The Power of Data in Addressing Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria

Data is a critical tool in this fight. For too long, the lack of reliable data hindered efforts to address sexual harassment effectively. Thanks to the Baseline Campus Climate Survey on the prevalence of sexual harassment in tertiary institutions in Nigeria, conducted by AfA in 2024, which revealed alarming statistics. Preliminary findings highlight that 63% of female students reported experiencing sexual harassment, and 90% of survivors choose not to report due to:

• Fear of victimization and stigmatization
• Lack of trust in institutional responses
• Normalization of sexual harassment

Without data, we are blind. We can make plans based on assumptions that could be wrong. Without action, we are complicit.

It is time to invest in systems that continuously collect, analyze, and leverage data to ensure accountability.

Imagine the Alternative

Today, as the world celebrates the International Day of Education, we draw our focus to this important educational summit.

Imagine universities with an organized system as a center of learning, innovation, and productivity—not fear and exploitation.

Imagine a future where our daughters and sons attain their maximum potential because we stood up to protect them today.

This International Day of Education 2025, we demand the following:

• The Federal Government to demonstrate leadership by prioritizing the passage of the Sexual Harassment Bill into law.
• Tertiary institutions should invest and leverage on AI-driven, faceless, confidential, and robust reporting systems to prevent, detect, and respond to sexual harassment in tertiary institutions.

We call on parents, students, educators, policymakers, civil society, and the international community to hold institutions accountable for creating safe and dignified learning environments for the realization of SDG 4 (Quality Education).