The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has alleged that a female student at a tertiary institution in Ondo State was coerced into a sex-for-grades arrangement by her Head of Department after repeatedly failing a compulsory course required for graduation.
The National President of NANS, Akinteye Babatunde, in a statement issued on Friday titled: “Our Female Students Deserve Safety, Dignity, and Justice,” said the student had only one outstanding compulsory course left before completing her programme and returned to the institution to retake the examination after an earlier failed attempt.
He alleged that after the student was informed she had failed the course again, she approached the lecturer handling the course, who also served as the Head of Department, to seek an explanation.
Akinteye claimed the lecturer allegedly told the student she would never pass the course before demanding sexual favours in exchange for a passing grade.
“He further demanded that she perform a sexual act on him in his office in exchange for a passing grade,” the NANS president alleged.
According to him, the student said she felt trapped and believed complying with the demand was her only chance of graduating.
“Feeling trapped and believing she had no other option if she wanted to graduate, she said she complied,” Akinteye stated.
He further alleged that the lecturer contacted the student about a week after the incident, repeatedly asking her to visit his residence and suggesting that the sexual relationship would have to continue before she could be cleared academically.
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Akinteye said the student, distressed by the alleged harassment, reached out to him for assistance.
The NANS president said he initially considered making the matter public but refrained after the student pleaded with him not to, citing fears of victimisation and expressing a desire to complete her studies without further intimidation.
He said he subsequently contacted the institution’s authorities and was informed within three hours that the student’s academic clearance had been processed.
“While I am relieved that she was able to complete her academic process, I am deeply saddened that she was too afraid to publicly identify herself or the lecturer involved,” Akinteye said.
“This reflects the fear, intimidation and stigma that many female students face when confronted with sexual harassment.”
He said the incident underscores what he described as a broader pattern of sexual exploitation in Nigerian tertiary institutions, noting that many victims remain silent because of fears of retaliation, public shame and victimisation.
“No student should ever be forced to exchange sexual favours for academic success. Our campuses must be places of learning, not environments where students are exploited by those entrusted with their education,” he added.
Akinteye urged students experiencing sexual harassment or exploitation to report such incidents to the National Director of Gender of NANS, assuring them that complaints would be handled professionally and confidentially.
“We are committed to handling such complaints professionally, confidentially, and with the seriousness they deserve. Together, we must build campuses where every student can pursue an education free from fear, harassment, and abuse,” he said.
The NANS president, however, did not disclose the name of the institution, the lecturer or the student involved.
As of the time of filing this report, the institution had not issued any official response to the allegations.
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
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