Ondo lecturer demanded sex for grades from student, says NANS

By Boye Oyeyemi

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has alleged that a Head of Department at a tertiary institution in Ondo State demanded sexual favours from a female student in exchange for a passing grade in a compulsory course required for her graduation.

NANS President, Akinteye Babatunde, made the allegation in a statement issued on Friday. He claimed the student had repeatedly failed the course and returned to the institution to retake the examination before approaching the lecturer to seek an explanation for her repeated failure.

According to Akinteye, the lecturer, who also serves as the department’s head, allegedly told the student she would never pass the course unless she agreed to his demand for sexual favours. He said the alleged threat left the student feeling helpless and desperate to complete her academic programme.

The NANS president further alleged that, believing she had no alternative if she wanted to graduate, the student eventually complied with the lecturer’s demand. He added that the alleged harassment did not end there, claiming the lecturer continued to pressure her afterwards.

Akinteye said the student later contacted him to seek intervention but pleaded that the matter should not be made public because she feared victimisation. According to him, her primary concern was to complete her studies without further intimidation or harassment.

He disclosed that after contacting the appropriate authorities within the institution, he was informed a few hours later that the student had been cleared. While expressing relief over the development, Akinteye said he was saddened that the student was too afraid to identify herself or the lecturer involved.

Describing the allegation as another indication of the persistent challenge of sexual harassment in tertiary institutions, the NANS president said many victims remain silent because of fear, intimidation and the stigma associated with reporting such incidents. He urged students facing similar experiences to report such cases to the NANS Directorate of Gender, assuring them that complaints would be treated professionally and confidentially.

Akinteye, however, did not disclose the identities of the institution, the lecturer or the student involved. Efforts to obtain a response from NANS were unsuccessful as of press time.