Researchers at the University of Westminster, UK, have revealed in a 2025 report how Nigerian universities respond to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), with private institutions acting faster but mainly to protect their reputation.
The report gathered information by interviewing anonymous participants from different schools, including university students, academic staff, non-academic staff and university activists.
The report, by Adrija Dey, Jessica Wild, and Erin Shannon under the femIDEAS study, focused on feminism, intersectionality, decolonisation, equality, abolition and survivors, and showed that private universities often enforce stricter rules and use measures to help prevent abuse.
However, participants said these actions are largely driven by a desire to avoid scandals that could damage the institution’s image or affect student enrolment.
One activist said, “Lecturers make sure that their offices have transparent glass so when a student is inside there you can see from outside in case there is anybody seeking help.”
One student noted that such responses “don’t support the survivors” but instead focus on protecting the school’s name.
Public universities were then described as slower to respond, with participants alleging that staff accused of misconduct are sometimes shielded by colleagues.
The report said this difference is due to funding, student backgrounds, and how each university sets its priorities.
One activist said, “If you look at the public universities, you have mostly children from average homes, but the private schools are very expensive; they don’t want any story that could rubbish the school and make them lose their bottom line.”
The report also noted that poverty significantly influences how SGBV cases are handled in Nigerian universities.
Participants mentioned that students from less privileged backgrounds often struggle to report abuse or get justice, while those from wealthy families are more likely to be heard.
Some institutions were accused by participants of protecting alleged culprits who are from rich backgrounds, allowing them to escape being held accountable.
One student said cases involving “big” individuals rarely follow proper procedures, while another noted that victims without financial backing are often ignored.
The report also noted that homophobia shapes responses to SGBV, particularly for LGBTQ+ students.
The report noted that Nigeria’s Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, which criminalises same-sex relationships and related associations, makes people afraid to report abuse.
Participants said victims risk being labelled, stigmatised, or even criminalised if they come forward, especially in cases involving same-sex harassment.
According to the report, this environment contributes to victim-blaming, where some victims are said to be responsible for the abuse they experience.
In extreme cases, victims may be threatened with being labelled gay or lesbian as a way to silence them, further discouraging reporting.
Researchers said this limits access to support and deepens the marginalisation of vulnerable groups within university communities.
The report also noted that support systems for victims are not enough across many institutions.
Where counselling is available, it is limited and sometimes based on religious guidance rather than professional care.
Victims in some cases were reportedly encouraged to “forgive and forget,” thereby silencing victims.
The report concluded that while some private universities respond to SGBV better, both private and public universities in Nigeria lack effective systems to prevent and address sexual violence.
