Teachers and lecturers in educational institutions nationwide are now mandated to endorse the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Code of Conduct form. This initiative is part of a broader strategy aimed at addressing the escalating incidents of sexual-related violence within learning establishments across the country.

The recently introduced standard operating procedure for prosecuting perpetrators of school-related gender-based violence cases in Nigeria, jointly launched by the Federal Ministry of Justice and Education, explicitly prohibits teachers from engaging in sexual relationships with beneficiaries aged between 18 and 24. Moreover, teachers are explicitly prohibited from holding, hugging, or touching students/learners inappropriately or in a culturally insensitive manner. Additionally, teachers are barred from being in secluded areas alone with students.

The form partly read, “I agree that I will not abuse or exploit students/learners; engage in any form of sexual activity or develop physical/sexual relationships with anyone under the age of 18 outside the school environment. I understand that mistaking the age of the child is not an excuse.

“(I will not) engage in sexual relationships with direct beneficiaries ages 18-24.

“(I will not) engage youth(s) in any form of sexual activity which involves the exchange of money, employment, goods or services for sex. This includes sexual favours or other forms of humiliating or exploitative behaviour.

“(I will not) use language or behave towards a student/learner in a way that is inappropriate, offensive, abusive, sexually provocative, demeaning, or culturally inappropriate.

“(I will not) hold, hug, or touch students/learners in an inappropriate or culturally insensitive way.

“(I will not) do things of a personal nature for students/learners with whom I am in contact at work that they can do for themselves (for example, taking them to the toilet or helping them get undressed).

“(I will not) spend time alone away from others with students/learners with whom I am in contact at work. I will always make sure that another adult is with me and/or I am with the students/learners in an open public place.”

The government, as outlined in the SOP, has instructed educational institutions to establish a recruitment process for staff members capable of identifying paedophiles and other individuals involved in sexual offences against students. The SOP specifies the following considerations for the personnel recruitment process:

1. Written character references, verification of references, and a signed commitment statement to the state Ministry of Women in alignment with the ministry’s Child Protection Policy.

2. An affidavit affirming good behavior in interactions with children.

3. Background checks, including scrutiny of the sex offenders’ register at both state and federal levels.

Upon reaching out for a response, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, the President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, declined to comment, citing that he had not received a copy of the SOP yet. 

Notably, reports from Sunday PUNCH highlight the persistent issue of sexual harassment in Nigerian educational institutions. Presently, a University of Calabar Law professor, Cyril Ndifon, is undergoing trial for alleged sexual harassment of students in the faculty. 

A star witness for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, a diploma graduate from the department, accused Ndifon of soliciting her virginity and oral sex in exchange for admission into the LLB program.