Sex-for-Marks: Ndifon’s Conviction That May Reshape University Campuses

The pervasive stories of sex-for-marks on our campuses may finally be approaching an end, thanks to a landmark judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho against the once-powerful and now disgraced Professor Cyril Ndifon of the Faculty of Law.

For years, countless female students suffered in silence, coerced, intimidated, or pressured into trading their dignity for grades. Ndifon’s case has become a symbol of the deep rot within the academic system, a culture in which predatory lecturers thrived on fear and impunity.

Justice Omotosho’s ruling not only holds Ndifon accountable but also sends a resounding message to institutions that tolerance of such abuses will no longer be accepted. More importantly, it offers a turning point for campuses nationwide: a moment to finally confront entrenched inequalities, restore trust in academic integrity, and ensure that no student ever has to sacrifice her education or her dignity for grades.

Sex‑for‑marks scandals are not isolated to Professor Ndifon. Over the past decade, Nigerian universities have repeatedly been rocked by similar cases, some of which didn’t get sustained public attention or were only partially addressed.

One of the most infamous is the case of Professor Richard Iyiola Akindele from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). In 2018, an audio recording went viral in which he demanded sex from a student, Monica Osagie, in exchange for changing her failing grade.

He was eventually dismissed by OAU, arraigned by the ICPC, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to two years in prison.  His release after serving his sentence was reported in 2020.

Another widely discussed scandal involved Lagos State University (LASU), where three lecturers were sacked in 2018 after being accused of sexual misconduct.

Among the accusations: one lecturer allegedly sedated a female student to have sex with her, while another was caught on hidden camera in a compromising situation.

There was also a major exposé via a BBC Africa Eye documentary, where undercover reporting revealed lecturers at University of Lagos (UNILAG) soliciting sex in exchange for grades.

Two senior lecturers ,  Dr. Samuel Omoniyi Oladipo and Dr. Boniface Igbeneghu ,  were named, and subsequently dismissed by UNILAG after the investigative committee confirmed the allegations.

But for every case that breaks into public view, many more remain buried. As documented in academic and legal studies, sexual harassment for academic gain is deeply entrenched in many institutions, yet enforcement and reporting mechanisms are often weak.

Academic literature confirms that sexual exploitation for grades is systemic in Nigerian higher education.

Ndifon’s case, therefore, is not just an individual scandal , it is part of a pervasive problem that has long plagued campuses nationwide. For many analysts, his conviction could set a precedent and serve as a catalyst for institutional reforms, shining a spotlight on abuses that were previously ignored or covered up.

These cases underscore that  it’s part of a broader, systemic problem in Nigerian higher education.

But the recent verdict has shifted the tide. This judgment is more than just punishment for a single professor; it is a bold message to every tertiary institution across Nigeria. It marks the beginning of a new era, one where female students can finally breathe a fresh air of hope, safety, and justice on their campuses .

The ruling serves as a clear warning: abuse of power will no longer be tolerated, and the classroom is no longer a playground for predators. In a country where numerous sex-for-marks scandals have been buried or swept under the rug,  this verdict shines a bright spotlight on entrenched abuses. It signals to both students and staff that accountability is possible, that silence is no longer compulsory, and that the rot of impunity within our universities may finally begin to be uprooted.

When LEADERSHIP Weekend contacted the executive director of Women for Justice, an advocacy group known for championing women’s rights in Cross River State, Mrs. Stella Edem,  described Justice James Omotosho’s judgment as a victory for victims of sexual harassment and a reminder that no “predator” can go scot-free without being held accountable, she maintained.

However, the chairman of the Cross River State Civil Society Network, who also serves as executive director of Africa Dignity Foundation, Leader Ben Usang, expressed a differing opinion on the verdict. As a civil rights activist, he stressed that his perspective on Justice Omotosho’s award of a five-year jail term against Professor Ndifon is somewhat different.

“For us who are not lawyers, justice has been served. All we see is the bigger picture of the various tussles that took place at the University of Calabar. Our advocacy is for a proper audit to be carried out on how the institution was managed before this matter arose,” Usang said.

He added that it is not only sexual harassment that plagues the institution; the issue of corruption should also be investigated to strike a balance. Failure to examine the corruption issue, he stressed, would amount to addressing only one aspect of the rot afflicting the university.

“Corruption challenges too should be looked into,” he maintained, suggesting that Ndifon’s ordeal may be linked to the ongoing infighting and internal conflicts troubling the University of Calabar.

Many observers believe the judgment was based squarely on the evidence presented before the court. “I am not competent to comment on the jail term which the judge imposed on the law professor,” one source said.

“He is a lawyer by training, and I think it is left to him to seek a window if he feels dissatisfied with the judgment, especially if he believes it has been manipulated. We have information about what happened in the school before the case was dragged to court. But once a matter is taken to court, the judge has the right to make any pronouncement he deems appropriate based on the evidence before him. All that some persons allege that it was a gang, makes no sense.”

On the other hand, the University of Calabar Student Union Government (SUG) President, Comrade Emmanuel Obo, was evasive on the issue, saying he could not comment on the punishment meted out to the former Faculty of Law dean. “I just came on board not long ago. I don’t really know much about the issue, unless I carry out thorough findings first so that I don’t make a mistake,” he admitted.

However, one law student, Miss Stella (surname withheld), welcomed the verdict, expressing hope that it will pave the way for safer campuses.

The University of Calabar public relations officer, Mr. Eyo Effiong, declined to speak at length on the matter, though he has previously emphasised that the University Management is committed to strengthening policies against sexual harassment. “The matter left the University and went to court. The court has given its judgment. What else do you want me to say?” he queried.

A female lecturer in the Philosophy Department at the University of Calabar, speaking on condition of anonymity, emphasised the need for accountability and respect in academia. She stressed that the judgment would serve as a warning to other  lecturers who might be tempted to exploit female students, making it harder for them to lose focus or overstep boundaries.

However, in Olulumo Clan, Ikom local government area of Cross River State, the professor’s hometown, Chief Tasen Edim,  expressed shock over the jail term handed to the law professor, describing it as a “gang-up” orchestrated by a group within the institution who, in his view, harboured personal animosity toward their son, whom he called one of the community’s most cherished and brilliant intellectuals.

“Let me reserve my comments. I am told that once the court passes a verdict, one cannot say a word again. We put our trust in God,” he added

On the other hand, the Country director for Rescue Support Initiative, Barr. Ayei Okpa Ettah, welcomed Justice James Omotosho’s verdict. He noted that the ruling was an important step toward holding sexual offenders in universities accountable. “We have had this persistent issue of sexual harassment by lecturers, with most cases going unreported, and our students have continued to learn in an environment where they are harassed by these sexual assaulters,”

Ettah said. “So, this judgment is very welcome to us at Rescue Support Initiative, even though we are yet to receive a copy of it.”

Ettah further emphasised that universities should serve as centers of excellence, providing guidance and mentorship to young students. “Our universities are supposed to be centers for molding the characters of our very young students, where they receive tutelage and mentoring,” he said.

He  expressed deep disappointment that sexual offenders in Nigerian universities have often gone unpunished, leaving students unable to report incidents of harassment. “It is an unfortunate thing that we are having a series of sexual offenders in the universities going scot-free,” he said.

Ettah welcomed Justice James Omotosho’s verdict against Professor Ndifon, believing it will serve as a lesson to others who might engage in similar behavior.

“I think this is a very good judgment, and we believe that moving forward, it would serve as a lesson to many others who are there in the universities, rather than mentoring young girls to become role models in our society. In the African context, some have become predators, and people the society would be ashamed of. We welcome the judgment,” he said.

He emphasiaed that the verdict addresses a critical issue by promoting a culture of respect and safety in Nigerian universities.

According to Ettah, universities are meant to be centers of excellence and hubs for nurturing young students through proper mentorship and guidance, not environments where sexual harassment goes unchecked. “Our universities are supposed to be centers for molding the characters of our very young students who need tutelage and mentoring,” he noted.

Contrary to Ettah’s view, a student of Political Science, Mr. Nicolas Ovat, described the judgment as lopsided. He attributed Professor Ndifon’s ordeal to in-fighting and supremacy tussles within the institution. “It was a gang-up by a group of academics who have deep hate for the law professor. They succeeded in putting him behind bars. I feel so sorry for his wife, who is also a professor in Education, and their children,” Ovat lamented.

Attempts to obtain a comment from the state chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Cross River State, Mrs. Affiong Onung, were unsuccessful, as she repeatedly said, “I will get back to you” at the time of filing this report.

Similarly, legal practitioner Barr. Ichire Okim said he had not yet sighted a copy of the judgment and therefore could not provide a formal position. He described the situation as unfortunate.

The chairman of the University of Calabar branch of the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU), Dr. Peter Ubi, also declined to comment, explaining that the matter was not brought before the union. “Besides, the issue was not an ASUU matter. If Ndifon is not satisfied with the judgment, he has the right to appeal,” he stated.

Parents also reacted to the verdict. Madam Grace Odama, whose daughter is a second-year law student, expressed relief that a lecturer had been held accountable. “It allays the fears I had been nursing since the day my daughter gained admission due to stories I had heard,” she said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Stanislaus Obem, a community leader in Agbobo, a farm settlement in Ikom local government area, offered a more nuanced perspective. While criticizing lecturers who prey on female students, he also stressed that students must exercise responsibility. “For Christ’s sake, your parents sent you to school to learn and build capacity so that you can graduate and embrace the labor market. Unfortunately, some bad eggs turned themselves into bait, which has put university lecturers into trouble,” he said.

Now, the ruling sends a clear message: abuse of power will no longer be tolerated, and universities must uphold their responsibility as centers of learning, mentorship, and character development. While opinions on the case remain divided, ranging from celebration by advocacy groups and concerned citizens to skepticism from certain quarters, the broader impact is undeniable. The judgment offers hope to victims, a warning to potential offenders, and a call to institutions to strengthen policies and accountability measures.

As Nigeria reflects on this watershed moment, one thing is certain: the Ndifon case could be the turning point that reshapes campus culture, fosters safer learning environments, and restores faith in the principle that justice, however delayed, can still prevail.