At least 60 lecturers across 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 last five years.
An analysis of publicly announced disciplinary actions by tertiary institutions between 2021 and July 2026 shows that while schools have adopted stricter measures against sexual misconduct, allegations of lecturers demanding sexual favours from students continue to emerge across the country.
The latest cases were recorded in July 2026, when Paul University, Awka, Anambra State, suspended a practical biology technologist in its Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Cornelius Eze, over allegations of serious sexual misconduct after a complaint was submitted to the institution.
On July 18, Kogi State Polytechnic terminated the appointment of lecturer Mukhtar Muhammed over allegations that he sexually molested a student. The institution said the decision was part of efforts to maintain discipline and protect students from abuse.
The action followed another major disciplinary decision by the polytechnic in December 2025, when it terminated the appointment of lecturer Abutu Thompson after he was found guilty of sexually harassing and victimizing a female student in the Department of Computer Science.
In April 2024, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, suspended lecturer Mfonobong Udoudom indefinitely after a viral video allegedly showed him sexually harassing a female student.
In April 2025, the Governing Council of the Lagos State University of Science and Technology dismissed three lecturers over allegations of sexual harassment following disciplinary proceedings.
Barely two weeks later, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, dismissed senior lecturer Dr Usman Aliyu after finding him guilty of sexually harassing a married postgraduate student who accused him of demanding sexual favours and threatening her academic progress.
In July 2025, Lagos State University dismissed two lecturers after its Governing Council found them guilty of offences including sexual harassment, inhumane treatment of students and financial misconduct.
The recent cases add to a growing list of disciplinary actions taken by tertiary institutions over the past five years. The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, also suspended lecturer Dr Chigozie Odum from the Department of Archaeology and Tourism over allegations of sexual misconduct.
That same year, the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, suspended a lecturer in its Department of Media and Theatre Arts over similar allegations, while Akwa Ibom State University disclosed that it had dismissed about 14 lecturers for sexual molestation and abuse of female students.
In 2022, the University of Abuja also dismissed two professors over sexual misconduct allegations.. The then Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdul-Raheed Na’Allah, said the decision reflected the institution’s commitment to maintaining ethical standards.
The following year, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission arraigned a lecturer at Tai Solarin University of Education, Dr Balogun Olaniran, over allegations that he demanded sexual gratification from a female student to alter her examination results.
In August 2023, the University of Calabar suspended its then Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Cyril Ndifon, over allegations of sexual harassment. The case later became one of Nigeria’s most prominent campus sexual harassment cases after criminal proceedings were initiated against him.
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A month later, the University of Lagos suspended lecturer Kadri Babalola over allegations that he raped a 21-year-old student.
Despite increasing disciplinary actions, concerns remain that sexual harassment is still widespread within Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
A 2018 survey by the World Bank Group found that about 70 per cent of female graduates from tertiary institutions in Nigeria experienced some form of sexual harassment during their academic journey.
The report identified lecturers and fellow students as major perpetrators, while many victims said they failed to report incidents because of fear of victimization, intimidation, academic consequences and a lack of confidence in existing reporting systems.
The issue has again gained public attention after a University of Lagos student approached the court over allegations of sexual harassment against a lecturer, renewing discussions about access to justice for survivors and the responsibility of institutions to protect complainants from retaliation.
The renewed attention has coincided with efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s legal response to sexual harassment in tertiary institutions.
In 2025, lawmakers in the House of Representatives introduced a bill seeking stiffer penalties for lecturers found guilty of sexually harassing students.
The proposed legislation seeks to strengthen existing legal provisions by prescribing tougher punishments for offenders and requiring tertiary institutions to establish transparent reporting and investigation procedures.
The move followed years of advocacy after the Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Educational Institutions Prohibition Bill, which received public support, failed to become law despite receiving legislative approval in previous assemblies.
Education rights advocates have argued that while universities are increasingly willing to dismiss lecturers accused of misconduct, criminal prosecution remains uncommon, allowing some perpetrators to escape with just administrative sanctions.
The Director of Programmes at Reform Education Nigeria, Ayodamola Oluwatoyin, urged President Bola Tinubu to assent to the proposed legislation.
“The President signing the bill will be a game-changer. We need to make schools safe for our students. The most unfortunate part of the issue is that some of these students, even when harassed, are scared to come out in the open for fear of victimization and other issues,” Oluwatoyin said.
Similarly, former Programme Manager, Gender Justice at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, Nafisa Atiku-Adejuwon, called on tertiary institutions to adopt survivor-centred reporting systems that encourage victims to speak out without fear.
“The response system has to be survivor-centred and holistic; mental and physical health concerns must be taken seriously. The response system shouldn’t be created to make the university look good; it should be to take care of the survivors,” she said.
She added that universities must build trust with students by guaranteeing confidentiality, protecting complainants from retaliation and ensuring allegations are investigated promptly and transparently.
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