A legal practitioner and Program Manager, Centre for Awareness on Justice and Accountability (CAJA), Maryam Ahmad Abubakar, has raised serious concerns over the growing incidents of sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions, revealing that many students are forced to abandon their academic dreams due to abuse by those in positions of authority.

Speaking during an exclusive interview on Moment with AAJ on SolaceBase TV, Maryam recounted witnessing the suffering of her peers at the hands of lecturers, non-academic staff, and fellow students.

These experiences, she said, inspired her advocacy for accountability and justice in schools.

She stated that, “What prompted this cause is what I experienced and saw happening to fellow students. Lecturers or colleagues harass many, but they don’t know how to speak out or get help”

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Maryam stressed that sexual harassment goes beyond physical contact. “It includes gestures, words, threats, intimidation, and even coded languages like “zan yi cizo”, which loosely translates to a sexual proposition,” she explained, noting that subtle actions like unwelcome comments or suggestive body language can be equally damaging.

She warned that a toxic mix of power imbalance and societal stigma continues to protect perpetrators. “Lecturers hold power over students,” she said, “and many female students fear retaliation if they speak up. Some drop out completely, ending their education because of the trauma.”

Citing past interactions and surveys, Maryam said that if one speaks to 10 or 20 female students, at least 15 would admit to either experiencing or knowing someone who experienced sexual harassment.

However, many of these cases remain unreported due to fear of stigmatisation.

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She lamented that, “The culture of silence is still strong. Victims are often blamed—accused of dressing indecently or enticing their abusers. Instead of support, society shames them.”

She described a situation where students are tagged as the “property” of certain lecturers, and any attempt to form relationships or report abuse leads to threats of academic sabotage.

When asked about male victims, Maryam acknowledged that men, too, are harassed, though less frequently, but the shame they face often leads to deeper silence.

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“Yes, men are abused too, but the ratio is far higher for women,” she said. “However, cultural expectations make it even harder for men to report.”

Maryam concluded by calling for continued sensitisation, stronger policies, and supportive systems that empower survivors to speak out without fear.

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“Until we create a safe environment for victims to tell their stories and demand justice, the perpetrators will continue to roam free,” she added.