Martins Olasehinde
The management of a Nigerian higher institution, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), has reportedly being promoted Anthony Agbegbedia, a lecturer of the Department of Conflict Studies, who was exposed by some of his students and former students for allegedly abusing his position to demand sex in exchange for grades.
Agbegbedia was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor, according to sources.
“Good afternoon. The lecturer (Agbegbedia) has been promoted to the rank of Associate Professor by the university management,” a lecturer source wrote told Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).
Two of Agbegbedia’s former students and one of his students at the Department of Conflict Studies at FUOYE had told the investigative news outlet that the lecturer abused his position to demand sex in exchange for grades, with one Yemi Olaoye, a student in the same department, yet to know if she will graduate alongside her mates.
Acxording to FIJ, the first graduating list was out, and Miss Olaoye’s name was not on it after failing his course for two consecutive semesters.
The student told the publisher that she suspected Agbegbedia deliberately made her fall his courses because she rejected his sexual advances.
Miss Olaoye said that she was unsure she would get justice with Agbegbedia’s promotion.
“The school had said they were investigating the case but have not done anything about it. With this promotion, I think getting justice would be hard for me. Can you imagine the school promoting a sex-for-grades lecturer?” she lamented.
A spokesman for FUOYE, Foluso Ogunmodede refused to comment on the matter despite promising to respond to FIJ’s request for comment on Saturday.
“I will confirm from the school management and get back to you,” he said after being contacted again on Monday.
He could not be reached on Monday when KOIKI Media contacted him again as at the time of filing this report.
In Nigeria, survivors of sex for grade advances and harassment from university lecturers do not get justice as the school management often forgives the perpetrator and moves on with time.