Onoja Johnson Baba, a lecturer at Kogi State Polytechnic, has called for the adoption of a Digital Anonymous Feedback System, DAFS, to tackle the issue of sexual harassment in Nigerian higher institutions.
This appeal follows the publication of his study, “Addressing Sexual Harassment in Nigerian Higher Institutions Through the Feasibility of a Digital Anonymous Feedback System,” in the Asian Review of Social Sciences journal.
The study, which surveyed 400 students from four federal universities, revealed alarming statistics: 45% of students reported experiencing sexual harassment during their university years, with 60% of these incidents occurring on campus. Additionally, 62.5% of those affected were women. The study also highlighted that only 30% of students were aware of formal reporting mechanisms, exacerbating the challenge of addressing sexual harassment.
Onoja argues that DAFS would provide a confidential platform for victims to report incidents without fear of retaliation, empowering students and improving the effectiveness of sexual harassment responses in universities. He pointed out that many students are unaware of existing reporting channels, with fear of retaliation being a major barrier.
The study found overwhelming support for DAFS, with 80% of respondents backing the system’s implementation. Students cited the fear of retaliation, stigma, and distrust in current mechanisms as key reasons they refrain from reporting harassment. Onoja pointed to international examples like Ireland’s “Speak Out” tool, which successfully uses anonymous feedback to combat harassment, as a model for Nigerian universities.
The study recommends that Nigerian universities adopt DAFS, create anonymous lecturer review platforms, and provide regular training on harassment prevention. Onoja called for a cultural shift in reporting practices and emphasized the need for universities to prioritize student safety and foster an environment where education can be pursued without fear of harassment.
With widespread support from students, Onoja is ready to collaborate with stakeholders, ministries, universities, and technology firms to implement DAFS in Nigerian higher education.