The Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has officially acknowledged allegations of sexual harassment against Dr. Anthony Agbegbedia, a lecturer in the Department of Conflict Studies, who was recently promoted despite these serious accusations.
The university's admission follows public outcry and media scrutiny regarding the promotion of Dr. Agbegbedia, who has been accused by a former student of giving her poor grades after she rejected his advances. The student reported that Dr. Agbegbedia's behavior constituted a clear case of sex-for-grades, a troubling issue that has plagued many educational institutions in Nigeria.
In response to the allegations, FUOYE has stated that it is committed to investigating the claims thoroughly. A statement released by the university emphasized its zero-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment and outlined the steps being taken to ensure a safe learning environment for all students. Furthermore, the university confirmed that Dr. Agbegbedia has received a warning for unethical behavior prior to his promotion and is currently under scrutiny as part of ongoing investigations into his conduct.
“We take these allegations very seriously,” said a spokesperson for FUOYE. “Our priority is to uphold the integrity of our academic environment and ensure that all students feel safe and respected. We are working diligently to address these issues and will take appropriate action based on the findings of our investigation.”
This incident highlights the broader issue of sexual harassment within Nigerian universities, prompting calls for systemic reforms to protect students and hold offenders accountable. Advocacy groups have urged educational institutions to implement more stringent policies and training programs aimed at preventing sexual misconduct on campuses.