SGBV: Study reveals rampant sexual practices in ‘Ungoverned Spaces, Dark Spots’ of Nigerian tertiary institutions

Despite increased advocacy and awareness of Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in the country, a baseline study conducted on the issue revealed that rampant cases of sexual harassment, rape, molestation, unprotected sexual activities, substance abuse, and commercial sex persist in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

The study, conducted by a research team from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, also revealed shocking findings that unsafe locations and “ungoverned spaces” within campuses due to poor illumination, particularly at night, are largely scenes of such incidents 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.

Dr. Oluwatoyin Ilesanmi of Redeemers University, Ede, Dr. Lanre Ikuteyijo of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at OAU, and Dr. Bisola Adebayo of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital are also co-researchers.

The others are Dr. Oyeyemi Bukola Babalola and Mr. Tope Aborisade, both from the Department of Psychology at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife.

A well-attended dissemination/validation workshop was held on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, and was graced by the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adebayo Simeon Bamire, represented by his Deputy, and Amb. Gabriel Tanimu Aduda, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.

Other top government officials in attendance included Prof. Ademola Adeleke, Osun State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, a representative of the State Commissioner of Ministry of Women Affairs, Ms Lola Adewale, and Mrs. Lamin Usman, Director of Gender, Ministry of Human Services and Social Development, Kaduna.

Representatives from the National Universities Commission, Mrs. Oge Okafor, as well as medical directors from the University of Abuja and the Federal College of Education, Zuba, were also present.

Prof. Obilade, the Principal Investigator, stated during her presentation that studies have shown that many reported incidences of sexual violence and abuse are more widespread in schools where students mostly live off-campus.

According to her, the study was done in public and private universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education in four Nigerian states: Osun, Enugu, Kaduna, and FCT, Abuja.

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.

According to Obilade, a cross-sectional sequential mixed-method design was employed for the approach, and both quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques were employed.

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.”