Meet Nuhu Baba,Exam Officer Who Turned Down Bribe and Sex From Female Students For Grades 

By Aisha Gambo

Sex for grades has permeated tertiary institutions in Nigeria thus creating a serious obstacle to the delivery of quality education. 

This menace is being perpetrated by some unethical elements in the academia who capitalize on students’ quest to either pass or obtain higher grades in their examinations. 

In many instances some lecturers deliberately fail the students to force them to do their sexual biddings, thereby creating academic problems for victims, who are majorly female students.

According to a 2019 study by the World Bank Group, 70% of  female graduates from a sample of tertiary institutions reported to have been sexually harassed, with the classmates and lecturers as the main perpetrators.

Conversely, female students also seduce their lecturers or exam officers in exchange for a higher grade. 

Some educationists believe that weak students who will always throw themselves at lecturers or offer monetary incentives with the hope of passing their examinations are to be blamed, while others are of the view that the bulk still stops on the table of the lecturer. 

The above situation is often underreported and that makes the story of Nuhu Baba a rarity and worth celebrating.

Nuhu Baba, is an examination officer at the Nasarawa state University, Keffi, who had defied biology to resist sexual advances from female students, seeking intimate relationship with him in exchange for good grades.

 He had rejected the ladies’ overtures outrightly, saying engaging in such an act is unethical and morally wrong. 

“I would have done it,  given them their grades and no one would have noticed and, but that was not why I was employed.

 I try to be fair enough to provide the grades each student deserve,” Baba stated

While sharing his story, Baba also recalled the time he was offered a bribe by a student who failed a course . 

The student wanted Baba to manipulate his result and give him a pass but he rejected it saying  it was against the code and ethics of his job.

“That same time, my wife just had a medical operation at the hospital, and I was in dire need of money, but I knew what it meant if I took that money.

“My integrity will fall. This was tougher than I thought; he even added extra money to the hospital, but I refused. I submitted the result as it should have been,” Baba said.

Universities and other tertiary institutions in Nigeria have a code of conduct guiding both students and staff. 

These are a set of rules, principles, values and guidelines which lecturers, students and non academic staff of an institution must follow.

 For instance, in Osun State University, the code of conduct states that an “academic staff shall not conduct him/herself in relation to students in such a manner that derogates from his status as a lecturer, examiner and adviser. Specifically, sexual harassment of students by staff is totally forbidden.

Any staff found guilty of sexual harassment shall be dismissed from the service of the University and may be handed over to relevant state authority for prosecution.”

In contemporary societies, people who uphold integrity are often seen as threatening for hindering others who carry out corrupt practices. 

Some are given funny or degrading nicknames as a form of mockery to discourage them from doing the right thing. Baba is no different as his uprightness had made him many enemies, but he never relented because it was the right thing to do.

As an examination officer, he has been tested with women and money while facing emotional blackmail, however, he refused to taint his reputation by ensuring he refuses any gift or handouts that could compromise his job.

‘’I have found myself in several compromising situations but at all times, I chose to uphold the ethics of my work and life values and stick with what I believed was right,” he said.

For remaining upright and doing what most have been found wanting for, Baba was  nominated by one of his students, Amina Sulaiman for the 2020 integrity icon award by frontline citizen engagement platform, Accountability Lab Nigeria.  

According to Blessing Anolaba, Accountability Lab’s Program Officer, Baba had set a shining example and other lecturers facing the same situation as Baba can do the right thing by abiding by the code of ethics of their workplace.

“The menace of sex for grades can be tackled if both public and private Institutions develop and implement clear policies prohibiting sexual misconduct and exploitation,” she said.

Anolaba further called on the President Bola Tinubu to sign the Sexual Harassment In Tertiary Educational Institution (Prohibition) Law which was passed by the National Assembly in 2023 but has not been assented by the President.

“The bill aims to uphold and safeguard ethical standards in tertiary institutions, providing protection for students, as well as academic and non-academic staff, against sexual harassment.

When signed into law, it will ensure zero-tolerance for sexual harassment and exploitation while establishing clear procedures for reporting and addressing violations, thereby reducing the prevalence of sexual harassment in our institutions,’’ Anolaba added.

This report is championed by Accountability Lab Nigeria and sponsored by The John D. and Catherine D. MacArthur Foundation and Luminate.