FUTO Commits to Combating Sexual Harassment on Campus
The Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), has pledged to combat sexual harassment on campus through a recent sensitization campaign organized by Alliances for Africa (AfA) in partnership with the Institution of Women, Gender and Development Studies (IWOGDS).
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
The Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), has taken a significant step in combating sexual harassment on campus. In a recent one-day sensitization campaign organized by the feminist non-governmental organization, Alliances for Africa (AfA), in partnership with the Institution of Women, Gender and Development Studies (IWOGDS), university officials and students committed to fostering a safer academic environment.
The campaign, held on the university campus, featured the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nnennaya Oti, who was represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Emmanuel Esenwah. Oti highlighted key factors contributing to the prevalence of sexual harassment, including indecent dressing, a nonchalant attitude towards studies, and moral decay among students and staff.
“FUTO maintains zero tolerance for all forms of indecent behavior,” Oti stated, assuring participants that the university would implement stringent measures to combat sexual harassment and other related crimes.
The event also saw contributions from Prof. Edna Matthew-Njoku, Director of IWOGDS, and the President of the Students’ Union Government, Comrade Stanley Nwosu. Both emphasized the importance of ongoing education and the need for students to report any instances of harassment to the appropriate authorities, assuring them of protection and justice.
Ms. Blessing Duru, AfA Programme Director, underscored the urgency of addressing sexual harassment, noting that it is a pervasive issue in Nigerian tertiary institutions, including FUTO. She expressed concern that failure to tackle this issue would hinder both students’ academic growth and staff development.
Duru urged FUTO management and stakeholders to strengthen policies, establish support systems, and enforce mechanisms to create a safer and more conducive academic environment for the entire university community.
The sensitization campaign attracted over 1,000 students and staff, including members of the university's top management, illustrating a strong commitment to addressing this critical issue within the institution.
