A disturbing new study by the Youthcare Development and Empowerment Initiative (YcDEI) reveals that 47% of primary school pupils in Nigeria have been victims of school-related violence. The organization warns that this crisis is not only a safety issue but a direct threat to the nation’s educational foundations.
The Scope of the Crisis
Speaking at the University of Ibadan, Executive Director Prof. Adefunke Ekine highlighted that nearly one in two students has faced School-Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV). This includes:
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Physical & Verbal Bullying: Persistent harassment within school grounds.
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Emotional Abuse: Harmful practices that damage a child’s psychological well-being.
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Safety Gaps: A lack of robust reporting systems to protect victims.
The research, which utilized both qualitative and quantitative data, found that these unsafe conditions lead to a “domino effect” of negative outcomes, including poor academic performance, chronic absenteeism, and long-term mental health struggles.
A Proven Path Forward: The Ibadan Pilot
To combat these findings, YcDEI recently concluded a pilot intervention in Ibadan supported by Funds for Innovation in Development (FID). The program reached over 1,800 pupils and 200 teachers across 45 public schools.
The strategy focused on two main pillars:
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Teacher Empowerment: Training in positive discipline and child protection principles.
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Student Agency: Educating children to recognize abuse, understand their rights, and use safe reporting channels.
A Call for National Action
While Prof. Ekine praised Governor Seyi Makinde’s infrastructure and recruitment reforms in Oyo State, she stressed that physical buildings are only half the battle.
“Addressing the problem requires sustained training and active collaboration between schools, government, and parents,” Ekine stated.
The YcDEI is now calling for the institutionalization of SRGBV prevention programs nationwide to ensure that every Nigerian child can learn in an inclusive, violence-free environment.
