Introduction: A Wake-Up Call
On July 15, 2025, tragedy struck at a hotel in Kogi State when a senior lecturer at Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), reportedly died during a sexual encounter with a 22 year-old-student of the university. The shocking incident reignited public outrage over a persistent issue plaguing Nigeria’s higher institutions: sex-for-grades and the abuse of power by university staff.
This tragic news comes years after Kunle Afolayan’s acclaimed film Citation (2020) and BBC Africa Eye documentary Sex for Grades (2019), both of which shed light on rampant sexual harassment in West African universities. These productions spurred conversation but not sustained reform. Students across the country still lack access to safe, confidential, and impartial mechanisms for reporting abuse or resolving grievances.
What more can be done? One powerful, underutilized solution lies in establishing ombuds offices in Nigerian universities.
What is a University Ombuds Office?
The ombuds concept originates from Sweden, where it historically referred to a spokesperson who investigated complaints against public officials. Over the years, it evolved into a role that protects citizens’ rights in a confidential and neutral manner. In the university context, ombuds offices act as informal, independent, and confidential resources for students, faculty, and staff who face challenges or conflicts within the institution.
Ombuds offices are widespread in the U.S., with the first program introduced at East Montana University in 1966 and rapidly adopted across major universities. These offices rose in response to the civil rights era protests, ensuring students had a safe channel for raising concerns without fear of retaliation.
In a university setting, an ombuds does not replace formal reporting structures like HR or Title IX offices (in the U.S. context). Instead, they complement them by offering a more approachable, neutral, and safe space to discuss grievances. They serve as guides, mediators, and problem-solvers.
Why Nigerian Universities Need Ombuds Now
Despite multiple reports, student protests, and investigative journalism, sexual harassment, academic fraud, and corruption continue to undermine Nigeria’s higher education system. According to a 2018 SERAP report, students described a culture of bribery for grades, extortion for administrative processes, and widespread sexual misconduct. Many lacked knowledge of how to report misconduct or felt unsafe doing so.
Here is where the ombuds model can make a transformative difference:
- Confidentiality and Trust
Traditional reporting structures in Nigerian institutions are often seen as bureaucratic or biased. Students fear victim-blaming, retaliation, or a total lack of action. Ombuds offices operate with strict confidentiality and independence from university administration. This builds trust and encourages more students and staff to come forward. - Impartiality
Ombuds are not on anyone’s side—not the complainant, not the accused, and not the university administration. They are trained to listen, explore options, and provide impartial guidance. This neutrality helps create an environment of fairness and accountability. - Accessibility
Unlike fragmented grievance channels (one for sexual harassment, another for academic appeals), the ombuds office acts as a single point of contact for a wide range of issues—from harassment to grade disputes to discrimination. This simplifies the process for students who often don’t know where to begin. - Early Intervention
Not all conflicts require legal or disciplinary action. Many concerns can be addressed through dialogue, coaching, or clarification. Ombuds help defuse situations early, preventing them from escalating into legal battles or public scandals. One U.S. university reported cost savings in the hundreds of thousands of dollars due to timely ombuds intervention. - Systemic Reform
By identifying recurring patterns in grievances, ombuds offices can alert university leadership to structural issues without naming individuals. This data-driven insight allows institutions to make proactive changes before problems become crises.
Global Precedents, Local Hesitation
While ombuds offices are standard in many global institutions, they are rare or non-existent in Nigeria. Yale University in the U.S. is often cited for resisting calls to implement an ombuds office despite years of student advocacy. The administration argued that existing structures were sufficient, but critics maintained that these lacked the independence and informality of ombuds services.
Interestingly, the conversation is beginning to shift in Nigeria. In July 2024, dispute resolution expert Mrs. Ayo Ayoola-Amale met with the University of Lagos management to advocate for an ombuds office. The meeting was well-received, marking a hopeful step toward institutional reform.
Still, as of mid-2025, most Nigerian universities lack this essential resource.
Ombuds vs. Traditional University Channels
It is important to understand that ombuds offices are not replacements for departments like Student Affairs or HR. Instead, they offer advantages these traditional structures often cannot:
- Independence: Unlike HR or academic affairs, ombuds report only to the highest executive authority, maintaining a firewall from daily administrative politics.
- No Formal Records: Conversations are off-the-record, encouraging more candid dialogue.
- No Bureaucratic Delays: Since they are informal, ombuds can act quickly to mediate or advise.
- No Conflicts of Interest: They are not part of any party involved in the dispute.
In short, ombuds serve as the university’s conscience—a safe, fair, and independent listener with a mandate to prevent harm.
Tackling Systemic Issues Like Sex-for-Grades
Sex-for-grades is perhaps the most egregious example of power imbalance in Nigerian universities. Students often suffer in silence due to shame, fear, or distrust in institutional support. Even when victims report misconduct, they are frequently dismissed or retaliated against.
An ombuds office could change that narrative by offering:
- Confidential coaching on how to navigate complex power dynamics
- Informal mediation where appropriate
- Safe referrals to formal channels without triggering immediate action
- Anonymous trend reporting to university leadership
Rather than being reactive, universities with ombuds offices can be proactive in protecting their students and upholding academic integrity.
Looking Ahead: The Role of Technology and Awareness
The future of university ombuds services is digital. Post-COVID, more institutions globally have shifted to hybrid models that include email consultations, virtual mediations, and secure reporting platforms.
For Nigerian universities, which face challenges with internet connectivity and awareness, outreach is key. Flyers, social media campaigns, and orientation programs can ensure students know their rights and how to access ombuds services.
Institutions can also use data analytics tools to identify complaint patterns and adjust policies accordingly. By investing in trained ombuds professionals and providing the needed infrastructure, universities send a powerful message: we listen, we care, and we act.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
Ombuds offices offer a proven model for safe, fair, and confidential conflict resolution. They improve student safety, foster academic integrity, and protect institutions from reputational damage.
Nigeria has over 260 public and private universities. Imagine the collective impact if even half of them adopted the ombuds model.
Let us move beyond awareness to action. It is time Nigerian universities invest in trust, transparency, and transformation. It is time they establish ombuds offices.
Anne Mmeje 