LASU, University of Edinburgh in collaboration against genda-based violence in tertiary institutions

By Clifford Ejenavi

Lagos State University (LASU) and University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom, have collaborated in a concerted effort to curb the rising incidence of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) within Nigerian tertiary institutions. This is a groundbreaking collaborative research and capacity-building initiative launched under the British Council’s Going Global Gender Equality Partnerships Project. The project is being implemented through a strategic partnership between the two institutions with generous funding support from the British Council.
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‎The research initiative, titled “Gender-Based Violence in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria: Developing a Framework for Report and Support Channels for Policy Practice”, is jointly led by the Principal Investigator on Project, Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh, Dr. Omolade Fakunle, and Acting Director of the Lagos State University Centre for Response and Prevention of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (CRPSGBV), Prof. Igot Ofem,.
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‎Three universities in Nigeria with functional Gender Centres have been selected for the research project including Lagos State University (LASU); University of Ibadan (UI), and University of Abuja (UA) with main focus on female staff, students and physically challenged students in these universities.
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‎The first phase of the  research workshop commenced on Thursday, 11th September 2025, at the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), while the second phase was held on Tuesday, 16th September 2025, at the University of Ibadan (UI).
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‎As part of the engagements, the research team, led by Prof. Ofem, paid courtesy visits to the Office of the Provost, LASUCOM, Prof. Idowu Olufemi (represented by Deputy Provost, Professor Sunday Sokunle Soyemi), and to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. K. O. Adebowale (represented by Prof. Juwon Arotiba). During these visits, the team outlined the objectives of the project and received assurances of institutional support. Both events were well attended, with auditoriums filled by enthusiastic female students and staff eager to contribute to meaningful discussions on combating GBV on campuses.
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‎In her keynote address, Prof. Ofem highlighted that Lagos State University is the first Nigerian university to establish a dedicated Centre for the Response and Prevention of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. She noted further that Lagos State University has integrated GBV policy into academic pedagogy, thereby positioning itself as a trailblazer in the fight against sexual harassment and abuse within higher education.

She expressed gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, and the Management for their unwavering support and presented a paper titled “Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Reporting and Support Systems on Campus: Why It Matters?”.
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‎Other distinguished resource persons including former Director, Gender Mainstreaming Office (GMO), UI, Prof. Francisca C. Ukpokolo, presented a paper on “GBV Reporting Mechanisms in Tertiary Institutions: Challenges and the Way Forward”; Front Desk Officer (SGBV Officer, LASUCOM), Mrs. Osineye Adetileola, spoke on “GBV Support Systems for Students and Staff in Universities: How Robust?”; Director, Gender Mainstreaming Office (GMO), UI, Prof. Funmilola Ajani, expanded on “Strengthening GBV Support Systems in Nigerian Universities”; and Deputy Registrar/Administrative Secretary, Mrs. Akinyemi Olasunbo, presented a thought-provoking paper titled “Preventing Gender-Based Violence: The Relevance of Active Bystander Intervention,” stressing the collective responsibility required to combat GBV.
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‎The sessions were highly engaging, with participants actively contributing to the question-and-answer segment. Students and staff openly shared the challenges they encounter when reporting GBV incidents and suggested practical strategies for strengthening institutional support structures.
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‎The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Olawunmi Macaulay-Adeyelure (Assistant Director on Rape Issues) and Dr. Salvage Oluremi (Assistant Director on Sexual Harassment).
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‎Other members of Lagos State University team present at the research workshop included the Assistant Director on Gender Violence, Dr. Samad Lawal Arogundade; Mrs. Magret Oladejo; Mr. Sunday Alao; Ms Sakirat Dabiri; Mrs. Adenike Marcus (Senior Public Relations Officer, CIPR); and Mr. Kunle Adekoya (Cinematography, CIPR).
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‎The project workshops will continue at LASU Main Campus, Ojo; LASU Epe Campus; and the University of Abuja (UA), thereby ensuring wider coverage and deeper impact across Nigeria’s higher education sector.
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‎The collaboration between University of Edinburgh and Lagos State University funded by British Council provides an opportunity to advance gender equality in both partner countries by sharing learnings on gender-related policy development in the UK, as well as comparing how evidence-informed gender equality work informs policy development in partner universities in Nigeria and in the UK.
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