Sexual harassment is not just a personal violation, it is a deep societal wound. In our universities, it threatens not only the dignity of students and staff, but the very mission of education itself. For women and girls in Nigerian universities, this reality is far too common.

A female student shared her painful story that a group of male students repeatedly made sexual advances toward her and she refused. She refused because she would not compromise her dignity or give in to something she did not believe in. But the harassment continued.

She began to feel unsafe within the school environment and even walking across campus. The fear of seeing them made her anxious about attending lectures. Her confidence faded, she started skipping lectures, and depression set in.

Eventually, she withdrew entirely from school, not because she lacked ability, but because the university authority failed her by not addressing the menace of sexual harassment on campus, and her right to learn without fear was stolen from her.

This is the hidden cost of sexual harassment; stolen dreams, broken confidence, emotional and mental distress, disruption of education, and lost future.

Let’s be clear; sexual harassment is never “just a joke,” never “harmless flirting,” and it’s never the victim’s fault.

It is an abuse of power!

It is a breach of respect!

It is unacceptable!

Every student irrespective of gender regardless of background, faculty, or year of study has the right to learn in a safe environment free from intimidation, pressure, violation and exploitation.

And every lecturer, administrator, and fellow student has a choice to make, either to stay silent or to stand up.

We must speak out, not just when it’s easy, but especially when it’s hard.

We must create safe campuses where survivors are believed, perpetrators are held accountable, and prevention is part of the institution’s culture.

This is not only about protecting women and girls, it’s about building the kind of safe learning environment we all deserve, a space free from sexual harassment, where respect is the norm, choices are valued, and justice is upheld.

The message is simple and clear: If it’s unwanted, it’s unwelcome and if it’s sexual harassment, it’s wrong.

Together, let’s end sexual harassment.

Say NO to sexual harassment!