Alleged sexual assault: NANS demands justice over UNIZIK lecturer scandal
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called for an immediate and transparent investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct involving a lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra State.
NANS issued the statement through its National President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, following reports that the lecturer reportedly fled after being discovered in a compromising situation with a female student. According to the association, the lecturer escaped through a window while partially clothed upon realizing he had been caught.
The organization stated that if the allegations are substantiated, they would represent a significant breach of professional ethics and a violation of the trust placed in academic staff.
NANS commended students who had petitioned the university’s Vice-Chancellor regarding the incident and expressed solidarity with the female student involved, as well as others demanding accountability.
“NANS will not tolerate any form of harassment, abuse of power, or sexual misconduct within our institutions. Our campuses must be safe spaces for learning, not hunting grounds for predators,” the statement emphasized.
The association urged the university management to investigate the matter promptly and ensure that the process is conducted transparently. Additionally, it called for appropriate disciplinary measures against the lecturer if found guilty.
Furthermore, NANS demanded protection for the female student and other whistleblowers from intimidation, victimization, or retaliation, highlighting the importance of a fair process that prioritizes student safety and dignity.
The organization also urged UNIZIK to enhance its disciplinary framework and reporting mechanisms to address incidents of sexual harassment and other forms of misconduct.
“We will not be silent while our sisters are violated and our campuses are turned into places of fear. Justice must be served. Silence is complicity,” Akinteye stated.
