The Vice-Chancellor and students of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) have vowed to support initiatives aimed at reducing sexual harassment within the institution. This commitment was made during a one-day in-house sensitization campaign organized by the feminist non-governmental organization, Alliances for Africa (AfA), in collaboration with the Institution of Women, Gender, and Development Studies (IWOGDS), FUTO.
Speaking at the event, FUTO Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nnenna Otti, represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Emmanuel Esenwah, identified indecent dressing, moral decay, and nonchalant attitudes among students and staff as contributing factors to sexual harassment on campus. He reiterated the university’s “zero tolerance” stance on such behavior and assured that stricter measures would be implemented to tackle the issue.
IWOGDS Director, Prof. Edna Matthew-Njoku, and Students’ Union Government President, Comrade Stanley Nwosu, also expressed their commitment to raising awareness about sexual harassment and encouraging students to report incidents. They assured students of adequate protection and justice for victims.
AfA Programme Director, Ms. Blessing Duru, highlighted the pervasive nature of sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions, including FUTO. She warned that without strong actions, both students and staff would continue to face academic and career setbacks. Duru urged the university management to strengthen policies and support systems to ensure a safer learning environment.
Over 1,000 students, staff, and top management personnel attended the sensitization event, underscoring the university community’s shared commitment to addressing the issue.
