NANS Alleges Sex-for-Grades Scandal at Ondo Tertiary Institution, Demands Justice
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.
NANS President, Akinteye Babatunde, disclosed the allegation in a statement titled, “Our Female Students Deserve Safety, Dignity, and Justice.”
According to him, the student had only one outstanding course preventing her from graduating with her classmates. After retaking the examination and reportedly failing again, she approached the lecturer, who also served as her Head of Department, to seek clarification.
Akinteye alleged that the lecturer told the student she would never pass the course and later demanded sexual favours in exchange for awarding her a passing grade.
He further claimed the student, believing she had no other option if she wanted to graduate, complied with the demand.
However, the lecturer allegedly continued contacting her afterwards, inviting her to his residence and implying that the sexual relationship would have to continue before she could be cleared academically.
The NANS president said the student later reached out to him for help but pleaded that the matter should not be made public because she feared victimisation and only wanted to complete her studies without further harassment.
According to Akinteye, he contacted relevant authorities within the institution and was informed within hours that the student had been cleared to graduate.
While expressing relief over the outcome, he said the student’s fear of publicly identifying herself or the lecturer reflected the intimidation, stigma and retaliation many victims of sexual harassment face on Nigerian campuses.
He described the incident as part of a broader pattern of sexual exploitation in tertiary institutions, noting that many cases go unreported because victims fear embarrassment and victimisation.
Akinteye urged students experiencing sexual harassment or exploitation to report such incidents to the National Director of Gender of NANS, assuring them that all complaints would be handled professionally and confidentially.
The association, however, did not disclose the name of the institution, the lecturer or the student involved. As of the time of the report, the allegations had not been independently verified, and no official response had been obtained from the institution.
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