Sexual harassment is a cancer eating deep into the fabric of Nigerian society, yet it remains one of the least addressed issues in public discourse. From corporate offices to university campuses and even marketplaces, victims—mostly women but also men—suffer in silence, afraid of the stigma, retaliation, or outright dismissal of their experiences. Despite global awareness and legal frameworks, Nigeria continues to lag in tackling this menace, leaving countless victims trapped in fear, injustice, and a culture that often sides with perpetrators.
A 2019 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) revealed that one in four Nigerian women has experienced sexual violence in some form. Yet, shockingly, only a small fraction report these incidents due to fear of backlash, job loss, or further victimization. In workplaces, the situation is particularly dire. A 2021 NOI Poll found that 70% of Nigerian women who experienced workplace harassment never spoke up because they feared losing their jobs or being labeled as troublemakers. The problem is not just the existence of harassment but the system that protects harassers while punishing victims for daring to seek justice.
In Nigerian universities, the phrase “sex for grades” has become synonymous with the unchecked abuse of power by lecturers who demand sexual favors from female students in exchange for academic progress. The 2019 BBC Africa Eye investigation exposed the shocking reality of lecturers at prestigious institutions like the University of Lagos and the University of Ghana preying on students. Despite the public outrage that followed, convictions remain rare, and the cycle of abuse continues. For many students, filing a complaint means risking their future, as they often face intimidation, gaslighting, or deliberate academic sabotage from their abusers.
The workplace is no better. Women are constantly pressured into uncomfortable situations by superiors who see their positions as licenses to exploit. Many endure crude jokes, inappropriate advances, and outright coercion, with little to no recourse. The few who speak up are often met with skepticism, forced to provide evidence that is nearly impossible to obtain in cases that typically occur behind closed doors. Meanwhile, the perpetrators continue climbing the corporate ladder unscathed. The informal sector, which employs millions of Nigerians, is even worse—there are no HR policies, no legal protections, and no accountability.
Opponents of stronger harassment laws often cite the risk of false accusations, arguing that men’s reputations and careers could be destroyed by baseless claims. However, statistics show that false accusations are extremely rare. A 2022 study by the UK Home Office found that only 2-3% of reported sexual harassment cases were later proven to be false. Meanwhile, an overwhelming majority of real victims suffer in silence, with no justice or closure. The fear of false accusations should not outweigh the urgent need to protect the thousands of real victims who are left voiceless by a system designed to disbelieve them.
The Nigerian legal system has done little to provide protection. While laws like the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act exist, enforcement remains weak. Police officers frequently dismiss complaints, judges demand “concrete evidence” that is often impossible to produce, and many cases never make it to court. Meanwhile, powerful figures in politics, business, and entertainment continue to get away with blatant acts of harassment, knowing that the odds are stacked in their favour.
Sexual harassment is not just a women’s issue; it is a human rights issue that affects the moral and economic fabric of the nation. When talented professionals are forced out of jobs because they refuse to submit to harassment, businesses suffer. When students are denied fair academic progression because they resist abuse, the education system crumbles. When victims are silenced while predators thrive, society itself becomes complicit in the destruction of justice and equality.
The time for excuses is over. Nigeria must wake up and confront this epidemic head-on. Stronger laws, stricter enforcement, workplace policies that actually protect victims, and a culture that encourages speaking out—these are the steps needed to dismantle the system of silence. If the country continues to ignore this crisis, it will not only fail its women but its entire future. Justice delayed is justice denied, and Nigeria can no longer afford to look the other way.
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Image: Gaelle Marcel Unsplash
