NANS Alleges Ondo Student Was Sexually Exploited by HOD Over Graduation Requirement

A female student in an Ondo State tertiary institution was allegedly coerced into sexual exploitation by her Head of Department in exchange for passing a compulsory course, prompting NANS to demand justice and stronger protection against sexual harassment on campuses.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has alleged that a female student at a tertiary institution in Ondo State was pressured into a sexual relationship by her Head of Department (HOD) in exchange for passing a compulsory course needed to graduate.

NANS President, Akinteye Babatunde, made the allegation in a statement titled “Our Female Students Deserve Safety, Dignity, and Justice.” According to him, the student had only one outstanding course left before completing her studies and returned to retake the examination after previously failing it.

He said that when the student was informed she had failed the course again, she approached the lecturer responsible for the course, who also served as the Head of Department, to understand why she could not obtain a passing grade.

According to Akinteye, the student alleged that the lecturer told her she would never pass the course unless she agreed to his sexual demands. Feeling that her academic future was at risk and believing she had no other option, she allegedly complied with the lecturer’s demands in the hope of finally graduating.

The NANS president further claimed that the alleged harassment did not end there. About a week later, the lecturer reportedly continued contacting the student and allegedly insisted that she visit his residence, implying that the sexual relationship would have to continue before she could be officially cleared for graduation.

Distressed by the situation, the student reportedly contacted Akinteye for assistance. He said he initially considered making the matter public but refrained after the student pleaded with him not to, expressing fears of victimisation and saying her main concern was completing her graduation without further harassment.

Akinteye explained that he instead reported the matter to the appropriate authorities within the institution. According to him, the school informed him within a few hours that the student had been cleared to complete her academic process.

While expressing relief that the student was eventually able to graduate, the NANS president lamented that she was too frightened to publicly identify either herself or the lecturer involved. He said this reflects the fear, intimidation and stigma many victims of sexual harassment face in tertiary institutions.

He added that the incident highlights the wider problem of sexual exploitation in higher institutions, noting that many cases remain unreported because students fear retaliation, public shame or academic consequences.

Akinteye stressed that no student should ever have to exchange sexual favours for academic success, insisting that campuses must remain safe spaces where students can pursue their education without intimidation or abuse.

He encouraged students experiencing sexual harassment, intimidation or exploitation to report such cases to the National Director of Gender of NANS, assuring them that complaints would be handled confidentially and professionally.

The NANS president did not disclose the name of the institution, the lecturer or the student involved.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, TRIBUNE