Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, has issued a stern warning to the academic community regarding sexual harassment on campuses, prompted by the University of Calabar sex scandal involving the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Cyril Ndifon. Emphasizing that the ministry will decisively address such misconduct, the Minister conveyed this message during a press briefing in his Abuja office after receiving the report on the alleged sexual harassment by Ndifon.
Mamman asserted that sexual harassment is a grave criminal offense that demands resolute action, and the ministry will take every possible measure to curb this issue in higher education institutions. He described sexual harassment as a cancerous problem that must be eradicated, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to address this menace in the educational system.
The Minister vowed to use the legal system to ensure that perpetrators face adequate punishment, emphasizing that no one will be allowed to exploit vulnerable groups. He announced the establishment of sexual offences units in the Ministry and all institutions of higher learning to combat this problem effectively.
In her report presentation, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi, assured the Minister that the university had followed due processes in handling the matter, including the suspension of the accused, issuing appropriate queries, and setting up a disciplinary committee. To ensure transparency, the Vice-Chancellor mentioned the involvement of external entities such as the Public Complaint Commission, Nigeria Bar Association, Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Chief Judge of the Student’s Union High Court, and seven civil society organizations as observers in the committee.