Finally, ASUU Breaks Silence On Lecturers Indicted In #SexForGrades Scandal

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called for an investigation and appropriate sanction for lecturers indicted in the alleged “Sex for Grades” scandal.

Naija News reports that the BBC had released a video exposing four lecturers, two from UNILAG and two from the University of Ghana for allegedly harassing an undercover journalist, who posed as a student.

The development has been met with reactions from Nigerians who have taken to their social media platforms to call for justice and an end to sexual harassment in institutions.

UNILAG at an emergency meeting on Monday had suspended Dr Boniface Igbeneghu, of the Department of European Languages and Integrated Studies, Faculty of Arts, who was indicted in the viral clip.

Taiwo Oloyede, the Principal Assistant Registrar, Communication Unit, noted that the second lecturer in the documentary, Dr Samuel Oladipupo, had also been suspended.

Speaking to NAN on Tuesday, ASUU University of Lagos Branch Chairman, Dr Dele Ashiru, said the union was against all unethical practices among its members, including sexual harassment and even abuse.

“The development is very disturbing and unfortunate. We have appealed to colleagues to understand that as lecturers, we stand in ‘loco parentis’ (in the place of a parent) to these students and must not be perceived in any way of not being protective.

“We condemn this act of shame in its entirety and want the matter to be thoroughly investigated and appropriate sanction carried out on all those found culpable,” he said.

Also speaking, Chimdi Maduagwu, Professor of English, also in UNILAG, called for the enforcement of self-discipline, especially among the academic staff.

He said some lecturers tend to wield so much powers in the positions they find themselves that they lose control even when there is absolutely need to draw the lines.

“An average lecturer could be so powerful that he sees himself as having all the powers to fail or award grades at his whims and caprices.

“I believe that quality assurance can take adequate charge of some of these ugly trends,” Maduagwu added.