Kabale University in the Western Region of Uganda has terminated the employment of a Nigerian Instructor named Dr. Nafiu Lukman Abiodun because of allegations that he was involved in the sexual harassment of female students. Abiodun was the Head of the Department of Economics and Statistics in the Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences at Kabale University.
According to a report that was published in a Ugandan daily on Tuesday, Kampala Dispatch, the don allegedly sought sex from female pupils and punished those who refused his demands by making them repeat the lectures they had already taken.
After conducting investigations, the board of the varsity found that Abiodun was guilty of sexual harassment and asked him to leave the institution in a letter that was disclosed by the report. The Chancellor, Jay Constance Kwesiga, confirmed this development. Abiodun was asked to leave the institution.
The following was part of what was written in the letter: “I regret to notify you that the Appointments Board of Kabale University Under Min.598160/AB/21122 found you guilty of Sexual Harassment, failure to follow examination regulations, and professional carelessness.” Therefore, the board has ordered that you be severely reprimanded, and at the same time, your prohibition has been lifted.
“In addition, the board has decided not to renew your contract as a Senior Lecturer of Statistics when it comes up for renewal on November 11th, 2022. Therefore, you are obligated to turn over all university property now in your control to the Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management Science in the presence of the Financial Auditor.
Dr. Abiodun is also the Director of Research at the university, in addition to being a national of Nigeria. He was expelled in the middle of the school year in order to make room for investigations into allegations that he demanded sexual favors from female pupils in exchange for good grades.
The story continued by stating, “Our reporter believes that Lukman would grant retakes to female pupils who refused to participate.”
However, his good fortune ran out when several of the female students secretly recorded him making sexual advances toward them on his phone.
Now, on November 11, 2022, a letter written by the Kabale University Secretary Canon Johnson Munono Byaryantuma and addressed to Dr. Abiodun states that investigations found him guilty of sexual harassment, failure to follow examination regulations, and failure to follow professional guidance.
The letter also states that the findings of the investigations were presented to Dr. Abiodun.
“When reached on Sunday, November 2022, Kabale University Chancellor Joy Constance Kwesiga confirmed the development but declined to give any details, claiming that they had information that Dr. Lukman may appeal the court.”
However, according to Dr. Abiodun’s statements in this magazine, he has not yet been sent the document that terminates his services. He denied the allegations that were made against him but would not elaborate on the specifics of the situation.
Sexual harassment incidents have been occurring frequently in Nigerian schools and colleges. According to a 2018 survey by the World Bank Group’s Women, 70% of female graduates from tertiary institutions in Nigeria reported experiencing sexual harassment while they were students, with classmates or lecturers being the most common offenders.
According to media sources, no less than 18 teachers in the country’s higher institutions have been accused of sexual misconduct and fired in the past year.
Although the Nigerian Senate had enacted a bill in 2021 mandating a 21-year sentence for unruly academics, the majority of those charged and convicted after the bill was passed were merely fired.
Read More:-
