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Nigeria’s Shame: Will Women Ever Be Safe from Sexual Harassment?

Nigeria’s Shame: Will Women Ever Be Safe from Sexual Harassment?

A Senator’s Cry, A Nation’s Silence

Imagine being one of only four women in Nigeria’s 109-member Senate, fighting for your voice in a sea of men. Now imagine accusing the Senate President of sexual harassment—and being suspended for it. That’s the gut-punch reality for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. In February 2025, she alleged Senate President Godswill Akpabio made unwanted advances and tied her legislative success to sexual favors. Her reward? A six-month suspension for “unruly behavior” and a N350 billion defamation lawsuit from Akpabio’s wife. This isn’t just Natasha’s story—it’s the story of every Nigerian woman facing harassment with nowhere to turn. From workplaces to universities to markets, sexual harassment is Nigeria’s open secret. So, why are we still failing our women, and how do we stop this disgrace?

What Is Sexual Harassment?

Sexual harassment is any unwelcome sexual advance, comment, or act that makes you feel violated, humiliated, or unsafe. In Nigeria, it’s everything from a boss demanding sex for a promotion (quid pro quo) to crude jokes and lewd posters in an office (hostile environment). The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) of 2015 calls it any conduct—physical, verbal, or even a creepy stare—that abuses power or violates dignity. Yet, 70% of female graduates from Nigerian universities say they’ve faced it, mostly from lecturers and peers (Owoaje & Olusola-Taiwo, 2010). If even a senator like Natasha can’t get justice, what hope is there for a student or a market trader?

Natasha’s Fight: A Mirror to Nigeria

Natasha’s case is a blazing red flag. She claimed Akpabio blocked her Senate motions because she rejected his advances in December 2023. When she spoke out, the Senate Ethics Committee didn’t investigate her allegations—they suspended her, citing unrelated “disruptive behavior” (BBC, 2025). Women’s groups like FIDA Nigeria erupted, calling it a blatant attempt to silence her. On X, #WeAreAllNatasha trended as Nigerians vented: “If a senator can be punished for speaking up, what about us?” (@lalaakindoju, 2025). With only 3.6% of political seats held by women, Nigeria’s patriarchy is on full display. Natasha’s ordeal shows how power protects predators, leaving victims to face stigma, lawsuits, or worse.

The Ugly Truth About Harassment in Nigeria

Sexual harassment isn’t just a “women’s issue”—it’s a national crisis. In workplaces, women like Elvira, an admin assistant in an auto shop, endure crude jokes and nude posters, only to be told “don’t be sensitive” when they complain. In universities, lecturers prey on students like Sharon, offering grades for sex. In markets and buses, women face catcalls and groping daily. A 2010 study found 60% of Nigerian women have faced workplace harassment, yet most stay silent, fearing shame or job loss (Johnson, 2010). Cultural norms that glorify male dominance and blame women for “provoking” harassment keep this cycle alive. Natasha herself said many women won’t even tell their husbands, let alone the police, for fear of judgment (The Guardian, 2025).

Laws Exist, But Where’s the Justice?

Nigeria has laws, but they’re like padlocks on a broken gate:

  • Constitution (1999): Guarantees dignity and bans discrimination, but it’s rarely enforced against harassment.
  • VAPP Act (2015): Defines sexual harassment broadly, but it’s only active in the Federal Capital Territory unless states adopt it.
  • National Industrial Court Rules (2017): Lists harassment types (physical, verbal, etc.) and holds employers liable, as seen in the 2013 Ejike Maduka v. Microsoft case, where the court ruled harassment violates human rights.
  • Criminal and Penal Codes: Criminalize indecent assault, but convictions are rare due to biased police and judges.

Globally, Nigeria lags too. It signed CEDAW in 1985 to end gender discrimination but hasn’t fully domesticated it. The ILO’s Convention No. 190, which bans workplace harassment, hasn’t been ratified. Compare this to South Africa, where robust laws and training have cut harassment rates. Nigeria’s laws look good on paper, but weak enforcement and cultural bias render them toothless.

Why This Keeps Happening

The roots run deep:

  • Patriarchy: Men dominate politics, workplaces, and homes, with women seen as “lesser.” Only 2.8% of senators are women.
  • Silence Culture: Victims are shamed or blamed, as seen in X comments like “she’s just playing the victim” about Natasha (@Obafemiyomi, 2025).
  • Weak Systems: Police often dismiss cases, and courts drag. The ICPC reported only one harassment conviction from 17 cases in 2022 (Vanguard, 2022).
  • Ignorance: Many don’t know harassment is illegal or where to report it. Natasha’s case sparked “We Are All Natasha” protests, but most victims lack her platform.

A Way Forward: Time to Act

Natasha’s courage is a wake-up call. Here’s how Nigeria can fight back:

  1. Fix the Laws:
    • Make CEDAW and ILO Convention No. 190 part of Nigerian law.
    • Add anti-harassment clauses to the Labour Act with strict penalties.
    • Roll out the VAPP Act to all 36 states, not just Abuja.
  2. Clean Up Institutions:
    • Create an independent body to probe harassment, free from Senate or police bias.
    • Train police and judges to handle cases with sensitivity, not victim-blaming.
  3. Change the Culture:
    • Launch campaigns like #EndHarassmentNG on X to shame perpetrators and support survivors.
    • Teach kids about consent and equality in schools to break the cycle early.
  4. Protect Victims:
    • Set up anonymous hotlines and free legal aid, like Lagos State’s DSVRT, which doubled sexual violence reports in 2017 (The Guardian, 2018).
    • Offer counseling and financial aid to help survivors rebuild.
  5. Demand Accountability:
    • Push for transparent probes into cases like Natasha’s, with groups like the Inter-Parliamentary Union watching.
    • Elect more women to power—3.6% female politicians isn’t enough to shift the needle.

Join the Fight

This is Nigeria’s shame, but it’s also our chance to change. Natasha’s suspension isn’t just an attack on her—it’s a slap to every woman who’s been groped, coerced, or silenced. We can’t wait for another senator to be humiliated. Share this post with #WeAreAllNatasha and #EndHarassmentNG. Call out harassment when you see it. Support groups like FIDA Nigeria or Action4Justice. Report cases to the National Industrial Court or ICPC. If we don’t act, Nigeria’s women will keep paying the price. Are you in, or are you okay with this disgrace?

Footnotes
[1] BBC. (2025). Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan: Senator Suspended After Accusing Akpabio. www.bbc.com
[2] The Guardian. (2025). ‘We Are All Natasha’: Senator’s Claims Roil Nigeria. www.theguardian.com
[3] Al Jazeera. (2025). Nigerian Senate Suspends Female Senator. www.aljazeera.com
[4] Premium Times. (2025). Natasha Reports Harassment to Global Body. www.premiumtimesng.com
[5] allAfrica. (2025). Natasha’s Ordeal Highlights Gender-Based Violence. allafrica.com
[6] Owoaje, E. T., & Olusola-Taiwo, O. (2010). Sexual Harassment Experiences of Female Graduates. World Bank.
[7] Johnson, K. (2010). Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: A Case Study of Nigeria. Gender & Behaviour.
[8] Vanguard. (2022). 70% of Female Students Sexually Harassed. www.vanguardngr.com
[9] The Guardian. (2018). Dealing with Sexual Violence in Nigeria. www.theguardian.com
[10] Action4Justice. (2021). What Does the Law Say About Sexual Harassment? nigeria.action4justice.org
[11] Lexology. (2019). Curbing Sexual Harassment: Lessons From Microsoft. www.lexology.com