Sexual and gender based violence in Nigeria tertiary institutions: exploring the roles of stakeholders and best practices

Abstract

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) remains a major global public health and human rights concern with profound implications for women's safety, dignity, and quality of life. In Nigeria, SGBV is pervasive, particularly within tertiary institutions, where young women and adolescent girls face heightened vulnerability. This study explored the roles of key stakeholders and identified best practices in addressing SGBV within Nigerian higher education institutions to inform effective policies and interventions. A cross-sectional, sequential mixed-methods design was employed. Quantitative data were collected from 4,142 participants across tertiary institutions in Kaduna, Enugu, Osun, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) using multistage stratified random sampling. Qualitative data were obtained through 22 key informant interviews, 12 in-depth interviews, and 7 focus group discussions with relevant stakeholders. The study was anchored on the Socio-Ecological Model (SEM) and the Theory of Change (ToC), which facilitated a multi-level analysis of influences and linked diagnostic insights to actionable intervention pathways. Quantitative data were analyzed with SPSS version 25, while qualitative data were thematically analyzed using ATLAS.ti software. Findings indicated that most stakeholders addressing SGBV were non-state actors, including student associations (17.4%), parents (12.6%), academic staff (11.6%), and non-governmental organizations (13.5%). These groups were particularly active in Osun State (37.7%) and the FCT (18.3%). Qualitative findings corroborated these patterns, emphasizing the visible roles of NGOs and student-led organizations in awareness creation, advocacy, and survivor support. TFG, state actors such as the Ministry of Education (8.7%), law enforcement agencies (7.7%), the judiciary (4.8%), and institutional management (7.7%) were primarily recognized for policy formulation and enforcement, collectively accounting for 28.9% of total mentions. Although their formal authority was acknowledged, their operational presence within institutions appeared limited. Notably, effective collaborations observed in Osun and Abuja provided functional models of multi-stakeholder engagement and survivor-centered responses. The study concludes that SGBV prevention in Nigerian tertiary institutions is largely driven by non-state actors amid weak state engagement. Strengthening coordination, enforcing policies, and institutionalizing gender-responsive frameworks are critical to fostering sustainable, equitable, and violence-free campuses.