In celebration of the 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD), President Bola Tinubu has honored the resilience, intelligence, and essential contributions of Nigerian women, recognizing them as the cornerstone of national progress. In his special message, Tinubu praised women for their roles in transforming households, agriculture, corporate sectors, and communities. He emphasized their unwavering dedication to shaping Nigeria’s future. Reflecting on the progress made since the 1995 Beijing Declaration, Tinubu acknowledged that despite advancements, numerous women still face barriers limiting their full potential. “Our Renewed Hope administration is dedicated to removing these obstacles, enhancing financial accessibility, and ensuring equal opportunities across governance, agriculture, and various industries,” he affirmed. Addressing Nigerian women, Tinubu expressed his deep appreciation: “To our mothers, daughters, and sisters – your strength fuels Nigeria’s progress. Together, we soar!” For more on the impact of the Beijing Declaration, visit UN Women Read the full report from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at nannews.ng READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
A recent survey has found that 63% of female students in Nigerian universities experience sexual harassment, both from staff and fellow students. This alarming figure comes amid ongoing delays in passing an anti-harassment bill that was drafted in 2019 but is still awaiting presidential approval. The survey, titled National Campus Climate Baseline Survey on Sexual Harassment in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions, was launched by Alliances for Africa, the Committee of Gender Directors in Nigerian Universities, and government officials, including the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, at a national summit in Abuja on November 25, 2024. The study, conducted across 12 universities in Nigeria, highlights the pervasive nature of sexual harassment in higher education, its negative impact on students’ education, mental well-being, and the lack of comprehensive data on the issue. The survey collected responses from 3,528 participants, including 2,222 students (67% female, 32% male) and 1,285 staff members (55% academic, 45% non-academic). Key findings from the report revealed that 63% of female students have been victims of sexual harassment, with 66% of these cases involving fellow students. Among the staff, 40% of non-academic staff and 30% of academic staff reported personal experiences of sexual harassment. The report emphasized the urgent need for solutions, including the implementation of anonymous reporting systems, which 89% of respondents supported. Barriers to Reporting and the Culture of Silence The survey also revealed a widespread culture of silence surrounding sexual harassment, with over 80% of respondents citing fear of stigma, lack of institutional support, and power imbalances as major reasons for underreporting. Victims often face societal pressures and fear retaliation, which prevents them from seeking help. Many survivors are unsure where to report incidents, and those who do often lack the necessary support from family, friends, or professionals. With perpetrators facing minimal consequences, this culture of impunity discourages victims from coming forward. Recommendations for Addressing Sexual Harassment To combat this issue, the report recommends establishing gender centres equipped to handle cases of sexual harassment, creating accessible helplines and reporting systems, and providing professional counselling services. Additionally, the report calls for continuous awareness campaigns and mandatory training for staff and students on sexual harassment prevention, intervention, and self-defense. A zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment, along with strict disciplinary actions such as expulsion or legal consequences for perpetrators, is also essential. Transparency and accountability in handling complaints, as well as independent investigations, were also emphasized as key solutions. Legislative Delays and Calls for Action The fight against sexual harassment in Nigerian universities has been further hindered by delays in passing crucial legislation. In 2019, the Nigerian Senate proposed a bill to prevent and address sexual harassment in tertiary institutions, with severe penalties, including up to 14 years in prison for guilty academics. However, despite being passed by the Senate, the bill has not yet received presidential assent. Civil society organizations (CSOs) argue that the delay in signing the bill into law perpetuates a culture of impunity. Many believe that the law, once enacted, will act as a deterrent and help reduce incidents of sexual harassment in universities. Minister’s Call for Action During the summit, Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim urged universities to establish Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) to manage complaints and provide timely support for survivors. She also emphasized the need for nationwide initiatives to raise awareness about sexual harassment, challenge gender stereotypes, and promote a respectful campus culture. Despite only 47 SARCs currently available across 22 states, the minister highlighted that the demand for such services is likely to increase as advocacy intensifies. In conclusion, the survey underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures to tackle sexual harassment in Nigerian universities. While legislative action is crucial, institutional support and cultural change will also play significant roles in ensuring the safety and well-being of students.
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Equatorial Guinea’s First Lady, Constancia Mangue Obiang, has expressed her disapproval regarding a recent scandal involving Baltasar Ebang Engonga, the former Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF). Engonga was dismissed after explicit videos of him with different women surfaced online.During a meeting with Prime Minister Manuel Osa Nsue, who oversees administrative coordination, the First Lady expressed her concern and questioned the government’s plans to address the issue. She noted that the scandal damages the image of Equatoguinean women and called for appropriate measures.In a statement posted on Facebook on November 6, 2024, the First Lady’s Press Office (Ofiprensa Primera Dama) stated that Mrs. Obiang urged swift government action to protect the dignity and digital privacy of Equatoguinean women. She emphasized the importance of taking preventive measures to maintain progress in gender equality and ensure a safe environment for women.Prime Minister Osa Nsue recognized the gravity of the situation and the need for actions that uphold privacy and the country’s reputation. He mentioned that the government is looking into stricter privacy laws as part of its response to the scandal and commitment to gender equality.He also highlighted ongoing efforts by his office to find solutions that would prevent such incidents and draw lessons from them to protect society at large.“ The Government of Equatorial Guinea, aware of the influence of social media and the circulation of private content online, is assessing updates to privacy and data protection legislation to better safeguard citizens’ rights,” said Prime Minister Osa Nsue.The incident involving Engonga has prompted wider discussions on digital privacy and the responsibility of institutions to protect fundamental rights. The government has stressed the need for a comprehensive approach that includes legal measures, education, and public awareness to control the spread of inappropriate online content.The First Lady and Prime Minister ended their meeting by reaffirming their commitment to implementing measures that would rebuild public confidence in government institutions and protect the reputation of Equatoguinean women. They also discussed potential strategies to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.Stay tuned for updates. Thank you. REAF ALSO: Trump’s Election Boosts Musk’s Wealth by $15 Billion
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In order to close the gender gap in trade throughout the region, the ECOWAS-Ecobank Empowerment Programme for Women Traders was formally introduced in Abuja. With a pilot program beginning in Nigeria, the initiative, a partnership between ECOWAS and Ecobank, seeks to empower women entrepreneurs by providing them with business training, financial access, and mentorship. This will enable them to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and make a significant contribution to regional economic growth. “When women thrive, communities prosper, and our economy becomes stronger,” said H.E. Massandjé TOURE-LITSE, Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, underscoring the transformative potential of empowering women in commerce. Reiterating ECOWAS’s commitment to addressing market and financial access, H.E. TOURE-LITSE spoke on behalf of H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission. obstacles that female traders must overcome. According to her, the event marked the start of a six-month journey that will provide participants with useful tools to expand their companies and promote international trade. READ ALSO Mr. Tunde Dawodu, Divisional Head for FCT & North at Ecobank, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to helping female businesses. “We want to provide funding, mentorship, and digital tools to help women succeed in competitive markets through our ELLEVATE Program and Single Market Trade Hub,” he said. Mr. Dawodu emphasized how networking platforms and preferential financing help participants grow their enterprises and improve their access to local markets. Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), highlighted the Council’s efforts to increase capacity in export, packaging, and good agricultural practices. documentation. Ayeni said, “We are dedicated to assisting women traders in creating long-lasting enterprises and breaking into new markets.” This two-day session lays the groundwork for a six-month program in which participants will get ongoing financial assistance, training, and mentoring. The program is in line with ECOWAS’s Vision 2050 plan to advance sustainable development and equitable growth throughout the region. H.E. TOURE-LITSE said, “This launch is just the beginning, and we are committed to ensuring that these women entrepreneurs multiply their impact and unlock greater prosperity through mentorship, coaching, and access to credit.” In order to provide participants with useful tools for effectively navigating cross-border trade, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), and the Nigeria Customs Service also shared their perspectives on financial facilitation and export procedures.
