Top 7 “Sex for Grades” Scandals in Nigerian Universities
For decades, the pursuit of higher education in Nigeria has been shadowed by a quiet, pervasive epidemic. The “sex for grades” phenomenon, where university faculty members exploit their positions of power to extort sexual favors from female students in exchange for passing marks, has severely compromised the integrity of the nation’s academic institutions.
A World Bank report previously highlighted the alarming scale of this issue, indicating that a significant majority of female graduates in Nigeria have experienced some form of sexual harassment during their studies.
While many of these incidents go unreported due to fear, stigma, and the threat of academic sabotage, a few courageous students and undercover journalists have dragged the darkest corners of campus life into the public eye.
Here is a look at seven of the most prominent cases that rocked Nigerian universities and sparked a nationwide demand for accountability.
Case One: The Conviction of Professor Richard Akindele
The dam of silence broke significantly in 2018 at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife. A leaked audio recording went viral across the country, capturing a telephone conversation between Professor Richard Akindele and a postgraduate student, Monica Osagie.
In the audio, the professor explicitly demanded five rounds of sexual intercourse in exchange for upgrading her failed grade to a passing mark. Osagie’s bravery in recording the negotiation led to a massive public outcry.
The university swiftly dismissed Akindele, and he was subsequently charged in court. In a landmark victory for campus justice, he was sentenced to two years in prison for sexual harassment.
Case Two: Dr. Boniface Igbeneghu and the BBC Sting
In 2019, the global spotlight was forced onto the University of Lagos (UNILAG) following the explosive BBC Africa Eye documentary led by investigative journalist Kiki Mordi.
Undercover reporters posed as students seeking admission and mentorship to expose predatory behavior.
Dr. Boniface Igbeneghu, a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Arts and a head pastor of a popular church, was caught on hidden camera locking his office door and making aggressive sexual advances toward an undercover reporter posing as a 17-year-old.
The visual evidence was undeniable, leading to his immediate suspension and eventual dismissal by the university’s governing council.
Case Three: Dr. Samuel Oladipo and the Infamous “Cold Room”
The same BBC Africa Eye investigation that exposed Igbeneghu also ensnared Dr. Samuel Oladipo, another lecturer at the University of Lagos.
Oladipo was captured on film aggressively propositioning an undercover reporter in a notorious campus location known among students as the “Cold Room”—a private staff club area allegedly used by predatory lecturers to exploit vulnerable female students.
The revelation of a specific, physical location dedicated to such exploitation horrified the public. Alongside Igbeneghu, Oladipo was investigated by the university and formally dismissed in 2021.
Case Four: The Fall of Professor Cyril Ndifon
In August 2023, the University of Calabar (UNICAL) witnessed an unprecedented uprising. Female students from the Faculty of Law organized a massive campus protest, carrying placards and chanting against their Dean, Professor Cyril Ndifon.
The students openly accused him of systemic sexual harassment, bullying, and demanding sex in exchange for graduation clearances. The sheer volume and public nature of the testimonies forced the university authorities to suspend Ndifon immediately.
A specialized investigative panel corroborated the students’ claims, and Ndifon is currently facing criminal trial for his actions.
Case Five: The Ahmadu Bello University Mass Dismissals
While individual sting operations grab the most headlines, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria took a broad, institutional approach in 2019.
Following a surge in confidential complaints and quiet investigations into the conduct of its staff, the university’s management announced the summary dismissal of 15 lecturers and staff members.
The sweeping sackings were directly tied to verified allegations of sexual harassment and the extortion of grades from female students. This mass purge served as a stark warning to faculty members across Northern Nigeria that academic predators would no longer be protected by institutional silence.
Case Six: The University of Abuja Faculty Purge
Similarly, the University of Abuja took decisive action against academic misconduct in 2019. After a rigorous internal investigation into rampant rumors of exploitation, the university’s governing council approved the dismissal of two full professors and several other lecturers.
The affected faculty members were found guilty of various offenses, with sexual harassment and demanding sex for academic favors being the primary charges.
The dismissals highlighted that no academic rank, not even a professorship, would shield perpetrators from the consequences of exploiting their students.
Case Seven: The Dismissal of Dr. Adebayo Mosobalaje
Following the monumental conviction of Professor Akindele, Obafemi Awolowo University demonstrated its continued commitment to sanitizing its academic environment in 2021.
Dr. Adebayo Mosobalaje of the Department of English Language was found guilty of sexually harassing a female student.
Despite the national scrutiny the university had already faced just a few years prior, the internal disciplinary mechanisms functioned effectively.
The university’s governing council reviewed the findings of the investigative panel and promptly dismissed Mosobalaje, reinforcing the institution’s newly established zero-tolerance policy.
The Road Ahead
These seven cases represent only a fraction of the exploitation that occurs within the walls of higher learning. While the dismissals and convictions mark significant victories, the systemic nature of the problem persists.
True eradication of the sex-for-grades culture requires more than reactive punishments; it demands robust, easily accessible reporting systems, the total dismantling of victim-blaming campus cultures, and a continuous commitment from university administrations to prioritize student safety over institutional reputation.
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