Efforts to eradicate Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Nigerian tertiary institutions could benefit significantly from the institutionalization of anonymous reporting systems, enabling students to report high-risk behaviors without fear of retaliation.
Stakeholders noted that without such systems, victims often hesitate to come forward about incidents such as rape and intimate partner violence.
These recommendations emerged from a Stakeholder Meeting, held Tuesday at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, culminating a baseline study led by Prof. Oluyemisi Obilade, former Vice-Chancellor of Tai Solarin University of Education.
The research team, which included prominent academics from multiple institutions, proposed pragmatic interventions to address SGBV.
The research team, comprising eight top academics, also included Prof. Olutoyin Mejiuni of the Adult Education and Life-long Learning Department, Obafemi Awolowo University as well as the Institution’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Development, Prof Akanni Akinyemi.
Other co-researchers are Dr Oluwatoyin Ilesanmi of Redeemers University, Ede, Dr Lanre Ikuteyijo of OAU’s Department of Sociology and Anthropology and Dr Bisola Adebayo of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.
The others are Dr Oyeyemi Bukola Babalola and Mr Tope Aborisade, both of Department of Psychology at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
Key recommendations included campus-wide awareness campaigns, ensuring safer accommodation for female students, and enhancing accountability mechanisms.
Stakeholders also called for strengthened partnerships between educational institutions and law enforcement, including streamlined reporting processes to reduce delays and protect victim confidentiality.
They emphasized that accountability must be prioritized, with perpetrators facing swift legal consequences.
Further, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) were urged to bolster advocacy, especially in underserved communities, and support ministries in implementing policies addressing SGBV.
CSOs were also called upon to mobilize resources—financial, psychological, and legal—to support victims, bridging gaps where institutional resources are limited.
