Sexual Harassment in Nigerian Universities: Legal Protections and Institutional Responses

This research examines the legal protections available to victims of sexual harassment in Nigerian universities and assesses institutional responses to reported incidents, situating the analysis within the human rights frameworks of gender equality and freedom from discrimination. Sexual harassment in tertiary institutions, often perpetuated through the abuse of academic authority in what is colloquially termed 'sex for grades,' represents a gross violation of students' rights to education, dignity, and equality. The study evaluates the Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Educational Institutions (Prohibition) Act 2024, alongside CEDAW's provisions on gender-based discrimination in education, and assesses their implementation at three federal universities across the South West, Southeast, and North Central zones. Primary data are gathered through surveys of 300 final-year undergraduate students and interviews with university welfare officers, sexual harassment committees, and legal aid coordinators. Findings reveal persistent underreporting due to fear of academic reprisal and victim-blaming attitudes among institutional gatekeepers, combined with inadequate confidential reporting channels and slow disciplinary proceedings. The study argues that weak institutional accountability mechanisms undermine the deterrent effect of the recently enacted law. Recommendations include the mandatory establishment of independent reporting hotlines, external oversight of harassment investigations, and mandatory gender sensitivity training for academic staff. Keywords: sexual harassment, universities, Nigeria, gender equality, education rights.