The British Council has concluded the first phase of the ongoing research and capacity-building initiative on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Nigerian tertiary institutions at the University of Abuja in Nigeria's capital city
The research initiative titled *“Gender-Based Violence in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria: Developing a Framework for Report and Support Channels, Policy and Practice,” was held on Friday, 31st October 2025, at the Faculty of Law Lecture Theatre of the university
The capacity building initiative was jointly led by Dr Omolabake Fakunle, Principal Investigator on the project and Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh, and Professor Igot Ofem, Acting Director of the Lagos State University Centre for Response and Prevention of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (CRPSGBV).
The project represented a collaboration between the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom, and Lagos State University (LASU), Nigeria, under the British Council’s Going Global Partnerships for Gender Equality programme.
The initiative seeks to advance understanding, strengthen reporting systems, and develop robust institutional frameworks for preventing and responding to GBV across Nigerian higher education institutions.
In her opening remarks, Professor Igot Ofem, Acting Director of CRPSGBV, expressed profound appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello for granting approval and providing unwavering support to extend the capacity-building workshop to the University of Abuja.
She also extended appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Matthew Adamu, for the opportunity to conduct the research within the institution.
Additionally, she recognised Dr Theresa Abok, Director of the Centre for Gender Security and Youth Advancement, University of Abuja, for her collaboration and support throughout the project.
Professor Ofem further delivered a presentation titled *“Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Reporting and Support Systems on Campus: Why It Matters,”* where she emphasised the importance of establishing accessible, confidential, and student-friendly channels for reporting and supporting victims of GBV in tertiary institutions.
Dr Gloria Shajobi-Ibikunle, Immediate Past Director of the Centre for Gender Security and Youth Advancement, delivered an insightful paper on *“Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Reporting Mechanisms in Tertiary Institutions: Challenges and the Way Forward.”*
She identified systemic, cultural, and institutional barriers to effective reporting and proposed policy-driven solutions for sustainable change.
Dr Theresa Abok, current Director of the Centre, presented a paper titled *“Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Support Systems for Students and Staff in Universities: How Robust Are They?”*
She discussed existing frameworks within Nigerian universities and highlighted the need for improved capacity-building, policy enforcement, and survivor-centred care.
Dr Olawunmi Macaulay-Adeyelure, Assistant Director on Rape Issues at CRPSGBV, spoke on *“Preventing Gender-Based Violence (GBV): The Relevance of Active Bystander Intervention,”* stressing the critical role of community awareness, advocacy, and proactive intervention in curbing GBV.
The workshop also featured an interactive question-and-answer session, moderated effectively by Dr Oluremi Savage, Assistant Director on Sexual Harassment, alongside Dr Macaulay-Adeyelure.
The session provided participants with the opportunity to share experiences, seek clarifications, and explore practical approaches to tackling GBV within campus communities.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr Oluremi Savage, who commended all presenters, facilitators, and participants for their active engagement and unwavering commitment to the fight against Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria’s higher education system.
The University of Abuja GBV workshop marks the end of the *first phase of the British Council–funded research project,* following previous engagements at Lagos State University (LASUCOM, Ojo and Epe campuses) and the University of Ibadan.
The project will continue with three additional phases, which will further deepen research, policy engagement, and institutional strengthening across partner universities.
The outcomes of this first phase are expected to inform policy recommendations and enhance institutional responses to Gender-Based Violence across Nigerian universities.
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