Over 60 lecturers sanctioned for sexual harassment in five years

No fewer than 60 lecturers in Nigerian universities and polytechnics have been suspended, dismissed, had their appointments terminated or prosecuted over allegations of sexual harassment and other forms of sexual misconduct in the past five years.

A review of disciplinary actions announced by tertiary institutions between 2021 and July 2026 shows that despite growing sanctions and zero-tolerance policies, allegations of lecturers demanding sexual favours from students continue to surface across the country.

The latest cases emerged in July 2026. On July 27, Paul University, Awka, suspended a practical biology technologist, Cornelius Eze, over alleged sexual misconduct following a complaint filed earlier in the month.

Days earlier, Kogi State Polytechnic terminated the appointment of lecturer Mukhtar Muhammed over allegations of sexually molesting a student.

The institution had also dismissed another lecturer, Abutu Thompson, in December 2025 after he was found guilty of sexually harassing and victimising a female Computer Science student.

In 2025, Lagos State University of Science and Technology dismissed three lecturers over sexual harassment following disciplinary proceedings, while the Lagos State University also sacked two lecturers over allegations including sexual harassment, inhumane treatment of students and financial misconduct.

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, also dismissed a senior lecturer, Dr Usman Aliyu, after finding him guilty of sexually harassing a married postgraduate student who accused him of demanding sexual favours in exchange for academic assistance.

Several universities recorded similar cases in previous years.

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, suspended lecturers over separate allegations of sexual misconduct in 2021 and 2024, while the University of Lagos dismissed two lecturers in 2021 and later suspended another lecturer in 2023 over an alleged rape case involving a student.

Akwa Ibom State University disclosed in 2021 that it had dismissed about 14 lecturers for sexually abusing female students, while institutions including the University of Port Harcourt, Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, Kwara State University, Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, University of Abuja, Ambrose Alli University, Federal College of Forestry, Plateau, and Ignatius Ajuru University of Education also sanctioned lecturers over similar offences.

Some cases progressed beyond internal disciplinary measures.

In 2023, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission arraigned Tai Solarin University of Education lecturer, Dr Balogun Olaniran, for allegedly demanding sexual gratification from a student in exchange for altering examination results.

The same year, the University of Calabar suspended its former Dean of Law, Prof. Cyril Ndifon, over allegations of sexual harassment, with the matter later proceeding to criminal prosecution.

The recurring incidents have continued to fuel concerns about sexual harassment within Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

According to a 2018 World Bank Group survey, about 70 per cent of female graduates from Nigerian tertiary institutions experienced one form of sexual harassment during their academic journey. The report identified lecturers and fellow students as the main perpetrators, while many victims said they did not report incidents due to fear of victimisation, intimidation and possible academic consequences.

The issue has again drawn public attention following recent allegations by a University of Lagos student, who approached the court after accusing a lecturer of sexual harassment.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is considering legislation that would impose stiffer penalties on lecturers found guilty of sexually harassing students. The proposed law also seeks to compel tertiary institutions to establish transparent reporting and investigation procedures.

Education rights advocates have welcomed the proposed legislation but argue that administrative sanctions alone are insufficient.

The Director of Programmes at Reform Education Nigeria, Ayodamola Oluwatoyin, urged President Bola Tinubu to sign the bill into law, describing it as a crucial step towards making campuses safer for students.

Similarly, former Programme Manager for Gender Justice at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, Nafisa Atiku-Adejuwon, called on universities to adopt survivor-centred reporting systems that protect complainants from retaliation, guarantee confidentiality and ensure allegations are investigated promptly and transparently.