In a major step toward addressing Gender-Based Violence, GBV within Nigeria’s higher education sector, the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom, and Lagos State University, LASU, Nigeria, have launched a collaborative research and capacity-building initiative under the British Council’s Going Global Gender Equality Partnerships Project.
The project, titled “Gender-Based Violence in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria: Developing a Framework for Report and Support Channels for Policy Practice,” is jointly led by Dr. Omolade Fakunle, Principal Investigator and Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh, and Professor Igot Ofem, Acting Director of LASU’s Centre for Response and Prevention of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (CRPSGBV).
Three universities with established Gender Centres, Lagos State University, LASU, University of Ibadan, UI, and University of Abuja, UA were selected to participate in the project. The focus is on female staff, students, and physically challenged students, who are often most vulnerable to GBV.
The first phase of the research workshop was held on September 11, 2025, at LASU College of Medicine (LASUCOM), while the second phase took place on September 16, 2025, at the University of Ibadan. Both events drew large audiences of female students and staff, who engaged actively in discussions about strengthening reporting channels and institutional support systems.
During courtesy visits, the research team met with the Provost of LASUCOM, Professor Idowu Olufemi (represented by Deputy Provost, Professor Sunday Sokunle Soyemi), and the Vice-Chancellor of UI, Professor K.O. Adebowale (represented by Professor Juwon Arotiba). Both institutions pledged full support for the initiative.
Highlighting LASU’s pioneering role, Professor Ofem noted that the university was the first in Nigeria to establish a Centre dedicated to the response and prevention of GBV and has since integrated GBV policy into academic pedagogy. In her keynote paper, “Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Reporting and Support Systems on Campus: Why It Matters?”, she underscored the importance of building sustainable frameworks to protect students and staff.
The interactive sessions provided participants with an opportunity to share real-life challenges in reporting GBV cases while proposing strategies for more effective institutional interventions.
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).
Other LASU representatives present included Dr. Samad Lawal Arogundade (Assistant Director on Gender Violence), Mrs. Magret Oladejo, Mr. Sunday Alao, Ms. Sakirat Dabiri, Mrs. Adenike Marcus (Senior Public Relations Officer, CIPR), and Mr. Kunle Adekoya (Cinematography, CIPR).
The project is set to continue with further workshops at LASU’s Ojo and Epe campuses, as well as at the University of Abuja, ensuring wider reach and deeper impact across Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Speaking on the broader significance, the organisers emphasized that the collaboration not only strengthens Nigeria’s capacity to combat GBV but also fosters mutual learning between the UK and Nigeria. By aligning evidence-based gender equality policies and practices, the initiative provides a model for advancing gender equity in higher education across both countries
