Students at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Kwara State, and the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, have launched campaigns to combat Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) on their campuses. The initiative, known as Project Safe Zones, aims to raise awareness and promote a culture of safety and respect.
The campaigns follow a training program supported by Girl Up, a non-governmental organization, and led by the gender rights advocacy group VARSH Foundation. Between March 24 and 28, 2025, 67 students participated in the training, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to prevent SGBV in their campus communities.
Founder of VARSH Foundation and Girl Up Project Award recipient, Aworanti Salvation, emphasized that the project goes beyond awareness, aiming to create lasting change.
“This project is not just about raising awareness—it’s about real, tangible change on these campuses. By training student advocates to recognize warning signs and support their peers, we are building a sustainable network that will continue to promote safety and respect long after the campaigns end,” Salvation stated on Monday.
Following the training, participants swiftly took action, launching university-wide awareness campaigns to educate their peers on recognizing and preventing various forms of sexual and gender-based violence.
The initiative has received strong support from student leadership, including Ganiyu Bukola, Assistant General Secretary of the UNILORIN Students’ Union, and Alakoso Mariam, Vice President of the FUNAAB Students’ Union.
A statement from the organizers highlighted the significance of the Project Safe Zones initiative, describing it as a proactive approach to addressing SGBV in Nigerian universities.
“This project represents a crucial step in tackling a serious issue affecting students nationwide. By focusing on prevention through education and advocacy, we aim to create safer university environments, rather than merely responding to incidents after they occur,” the statement read.
With students now actively championing the cause, Project Safe Zones is set to foster a culture of safety and accountability across campuses.
