Sex for marks scandal: Emulate ABU Zaria, agency urges Nigerian institutions
Emergency Digest – The Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has appealed to institutions of higher learning to emulate Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in the fight against sexual harassment in tertiary institutions.
In a statement issued by its Chief Executive Officer, Babatunde Irukera on Sunday, the commission lauded the action of the school authorities in terminating the employment of 15 staff and demotion of one academic staff on account of conducts bordering on corruption and sexual harassment.
It could be recalled tha two weeks ago, the university’s governing council approved the disciplinary actions on the 15 erring lecturers.
The Director of ABU’s Public Affairs, Sama’ila Shehu, confirmed the punishments meted.
The director while briefing newsmen said, “Some of the offences range from mishandling of records, scripts, sexual harassment and assault. There are categories of offences and penalties. Some are termination of appointments, dismissal and demotion.”
It was reported that a lecturer from the Department of Plant Science was sacked for sexually harassing a female staff while three lecturers from the Sociology department were sacked for the alteration of results, extortion of students and illegal allocation of grades.
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Meanwhile, the FCCPC noted that the disciplinary action was a sequel to investigations into sexual advances and illegal allocation and alteration of grades including extortion of students.
The agency said the steps taken by the school are based on Section 17 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act FCCFA.
“These types of conduct materially affect the entire community, diminish scholarship and negatively skew academic outcomes in a manner that violates the rights of targets of the behaviour and victimises others who are invariably indirect victims. The inappropriate behaviour undermines the quality and validity of education and questions the credibility of educational outcomes.”
The commission said it is further encouraged by ABU’s commitment to a broader and continuing investigation of others within the community.
“In addition, the Commission commends ABU for this robust and far-reaching effort and the confidence it restores and promotes in our institutions, systems and processes,” it stated.
According to Mr Irukera, a transparent, fair and just educational community is essential for all members of the academic community and the commission is “keen to ensure that students, as consumers are afforded the necessary protections and our campuses are safe and secure always.”
The commission, however, urged educational institutions to pursue ‘aggressive and open initiatives’ to ensure harassment, corruption and other vices are eradicated from Nigeria’s educational system.
