The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Prof. Nnenna Otti, has reaffirmed the university’s commitment under her leadership to maintaining zero tolerance for sexual harassment and gender-based violence.
 
Otti made this statement while receiving members of Alliances for Africa (AfA), a non-governmental feminist organisation, who visited the institution to raise awareness about the prevalence of sexual harassment and propose effective prevention strategies.
   
She noted that beyond the measures already implemented by the university to address these issues, FUTO is eager and ready to collaborate with all efforts aimed at eradicating sexual harassment within the institution. 
   
She commended the feminist organisation for its dedication and partnership, emphasising that ending sexual harassment would enhance the safety of the university community and foster academic excellence.
   
Earlier, Ella Osuji, the team lead for AfA on the project, explained that the visit was part of the organisation’s commitment to combatting sexual harassment in Nigerian universities, with FUTO selected as one of 12 institutions for the first phase of the initiative.
   
Osuji appealed for sustained collaboration with FUTO management, adding that AfA would continue to work with the university to strengthen mechanisms for creating safe environments for academic activities in schools and universities across the country.
   
“Sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions remains underreported, largely due to weak reporting systems and a culture of impunity. This advocacy visit seeks to engage Vice-Chancellors directly, urging institutional leadership to take stronger action through the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
   
“The goal is to secure clear commitments toward implementing effective reporting mechanisms, enforcing policies, and fostering a culture of accountability. By influencing top-level decision-makers, the visit aims to catalyse systemic change and ensure safer, more inclusive learning environments across the 12 project-implementing universities,” Osuji stated.
   
A key highlight of the visit was the presentation of a draft MoU to Prof. Otti for review and subsequent signing between the organisation and the university.
   
In attendance were Ms. Blessing Duru, AfA Programme Director; Ms. Doris Ekechukwu, AfA Communication Assistant; other FUTO top management staff; and members of FUTO’s Centre for Gender Studies, led by its director, Prof. Edna Matthew Njoku.