The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has accused the Head of Department of a university in Ondo State of allegedly demanding sexual favours from a female student in exchange for approving her graduation.
The allegation was made on Friday by the National President of NANS, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde, in a statement titled “Our Female Students Deserve Safety, Dignity, and Justice.” However, he did not disclose the names of the university, the lecturer or the student involved.
According to Babatunde, the student had only one outstanding compulsory course preventing her from graduating with her classmates. After retaking the examination, she was reportedly informed that she had failed again and approached the lecturer, who also served as the Head of Department, to seek an explanation.
NANS alleged that during their interactions, the lecturer told the student she would never pass the course before allegedly demanding sexual acts in exchange for awarding her a passing grade.
Babatunde claimed the student later told him she felt she had no choice but to comply because she feared she would never complete her studies. He further alleged that after the incident, the lecturer continued contacting the student and reportedly invited her to his residence, suggesting the relationship would have to continue before she could be cleared academically.
According to the NANS president, the distressed student eventually reached out to him for help. Although he initially considered making the matter public, he said the student pleaded with him not to reveal her identity because she feared victimisation and only wanted to complete her academic programme.
Babatunde said he subsequently contacted relevant authorities within the institution and was informed a few hours later that the student had been cleared to graduate. He expressed relief over the outcome but described the student’s fear of speaking publicly as evidence of the intimidation many victims of sexual harassment face in tertiary institutions.
He argued that the alleged incident reflects a wider pattern of sexual exploitation that often goes unreported because students fear retaliation, embarrassment or discrimination.
Calling for stronger protection of students, Babatunde stressed that no one should be forced to exchange sexual favours for academic success. He also encouraged students experiencing harassment or exploitation to report such cases to the NANS Directorate of Gender, assuring them that complaints would be treated confidentially and professionally.
As of the time of filing this report, the institution and the lecturer mentioned in the allegation had not publicly responded to the claims.
