Nigerian Universities’ Sexual Harassment Policies: Palliative or Provocative?

Abstract

ABSTRACT Sexual violence and sexual harassment have been perennial topics in higher education across the continent and beyond. In response to stories and scandals, including the 2019 “Sex for Grades: Undercover in West African Universities” documentary by the BBC’s Africa Eye series, Nigerian universities have instituted sexual harassment policies. This article draws on a feminist textual analysis of the BBC documentary and three Nigerian higher institutions’ sexual harassment policies, complemented by specialized literature on gender, history, and sexuality, to examine the value of the policies and their limitations. I argue that the fundamental limitation of most of the policies is the persistence of how coloniality shapes gender in education. The gendered influences on education date back to colonialism and need to be challenged and questioned. I argue that, while policies are vital for driving transformative education, inclusive learning and a safe environment, it is crucial to consider how colonialism shaped gender in Nigeria, and to reflect on the structural and cultural logics that perpetuate gender norms.