Despite heightened advocacies and enlightenment about issues relating to Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in the country, a baseline study carried out in respect of the menace has revealed that rampant cases of sexual harassment, rape, molestation, unprotected sexual activities, substance abuse and commercial sex continue unabated in Nigerian tertiary Institutions.
The study conducted by a research team from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife also pin-pointed shocking findings that unsafe locations and “ungoverned spaces” within campuses due to poor illumination especially at night are largely scenes of such incidences of sexual assault in many tertiary institutions.
The team, comprising eight top academics, is led by a one-time Vice-Chancellor of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu-Ode, Prof Oluyemisi Obilade as Principal Investigator, 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.
On Tuesday 6th August, 2024, a well attended dissemination/validation workshop held and was graced by the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adebayo Simeon Bamire, represented by his Deputy as well as the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Amb. Gabriel Tanimu Aduda.
Other top government functionaries in attendance included the Osun State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Prof. Ademola Adeleke, representative of the State Commissioner of Ministry of Women Affairs, Ms Lola Adewale, Director, Gender, Ministry of Human Services and Social Development, Kaduna State, Mrs Lamin Usman.
Photo: Courtesy call by members of the research team to the former Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Osun state, Prof Yinusa
Also in attendance were representatives from the National Universities Commission, Mrs Oge Okafor and Medical Directors from University of Abuja and Federal College of Education, Zuba.
Making her presentation, the Principal Investigator, Prof. Obilade disclosed that findings have revealed that many reported cases of sexual violence and abuse are more prevalent in campuses where students are predominantly residing off campuses.
According to her, the study was conducted in selected public and private universities, polytechnics and College of Education across four nigerian states, Osun, Enugu, Kaduna and FCT, Abuja.
More specifically, the institutions covered are OAU, Bowen University, Iwo, Kaduna Polytechnic, College of Education, Zuba, Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Kaduna State University, University of Abuja, College of Education, Ilesa and Enugu State University of Technology.
For methodology, Obilade said cross-sectional sequential
mixed-method design was used involving both quantitative and qualitative techniques were used for data collection.
Speaking on further findings of the study, she said cases of violations of SGBV especially rape, sexual harassment and sexual exploitation of females were rampantly reported in many institutions and shockingly male students are vulnerable.
Among factors believed to be triggering the incidences of violations of SGBV are personal drivers which include poor academic performance, desire for better grades by students, financial limitations, alcohol and substance use.
The findings also revealed other structural and environmental drivers which are not personal to the individuals concerned.
Obilade said: “There are systemic issues with the Institutions concerned which are not within the individuals affected. This includes unsafe and ungoverned spaces.
“There are SGBV-enabling environment, for instance, the dark spots on campuses, inadequate security arrangements on/off campuses, poor illumination and poor security surveillance around campuses.
“Our findings revealed that female students are mostly raped in such dangerous and isolated areas.”
The findings also listed perpetrators of SGBV incidences in tertiary institutions to include, academic and administrative staff, students, family members, strangers and neighbours of students especially those residing off campuses.
Earlier in his speech at the workshop, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Amb. Gabriel Tanimu Aduda commended Obafemi Awolowo University and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Tetfund) through the National Research Fund Grant for putting together the timely initiative.
Represented by a Director in the Ministry, Mrs Udeme, the PS expressed hope that the research findings will undoubtedly help in policy formulation and strategy that will ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for our students especially the female students who are often victims of SGBV.
Aduda stressed: “I congratulate the Principal Investigator and her research team for their intellectual excellence that brought about the success of this research, I like to implore us to continue to hold one another accountable for addressing root causes of Sexual and Gender Based violence and ensure proper sanctions are meted out on perpetrators as stipulated by the law.”
