The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has renewed calls for the full implementation of the Model Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy across Nigerian tertiary institutions, warning that the policy must “go beyond paper” and be put into action to combat abuse of office in the education sector.
This renewed commitment was the focus of a high-level stakeholders’ engagement held on Thursday at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja. The event was co-hosted by ICPC, Gender Mobile Initiative (GMI), and the FCT Education Secretariat as part of efforts to drive state-level adoption of the Model Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy
In his remarks, the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, represented by the Commission’s Secretary, Mr. Clifford Okwudiri Oparaodu, DSSRS, said sexual harassment in schools is not only a form of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) but also a criminal abuse of power and office.
“The policy must go beyond paper. It must be implemented. Sexual harassment is a form of abuse of office and a crime under the ICPC Act,” he said.
Dr. Aliyu noted that the Model Sexual Harassment Policy, developed in collaboration with GMI and supported by the Ford Foundation, was designed to serve as a benchmark for institutions to either strengthen their existing policies or adopt new, best-practice-aligned ones.
He also referenced the Campus Safety Initiative (CSI) — a technology-driven prevention strategy — and confirmed that similar model policies for basic and secondary schools, approved by the Federal Ministry of Education, are available on the ICPC website.
“The fight against corruption, especially in educational institutions, cannot be waged by ICPC alone,” he said. “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
In his welcome address, the FCT Mandate Secretary for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, commended the ICPC and Gender Mobile for their efforts and urged institutions to lead the charge against sexual harassment.
He emphasized that the issue is not limited to hierarchical abuse of power and can also occur between individuals of equal standing.
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“Sexual harassment is a menace that denies many victims their right to full participation in society,” he said. “There must be zero tolerance and confidentiality for victims.”
Omowumi Ogunrotimi, Executive Lead of Gender Mobile Initiative, presented the Campus Safety Initiative Framework, highlighting key components such as By-Stander Intervention, Preventive Education, and the CampusPal App — a digital tool for anonymous reporting and support.
The event also featured a keynote address by Hon. Akintunde Rotimi, Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, delivered by Mr. Temidayo Taiwo Sadiq, alongside goodwill messages from the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, National Female Students Association of Nigeria (NFSAN), National Universities Commission (NUC), and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
The event concluded with the presentation of a communique and reaffirmation of commitments to collective action against sexual harassment in Nigeria’s academic institutions.
Gender Mobile, founded in 2017, has been a key partner in advancing intersectional gender equality and tackling sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Its long-standing collaboration with the ICPC has yielded landmark initiatives aimed at ensuring safe, inclusive, and accountable learning environments nationwide.
