Student groups at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) and the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) have launched campus-wide campaigns aimed at curbing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). The initiative, known as Project Safe Zones, follows an intensive training programme supported by the non-governmental organization Girl Up and led by the gender rights advocacy group, VARSH Foundation.
The training sessions, which took place from March 24 to 28, 2025, engaged 67 students across both institutions, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and advocacy skills to combat SGBV. The initiative was spearheaded by the founder of VARSH Foundation, Aworanti Salvation, a recipient of the Girl Up Project Award.
According to Salvation, the project seeks to foster lasting change within university communities by empowering students to identify warning signs and support victims of SGBV. “This initiative is more than just awareness; it is about fostering a culture of safety and respect on our campuses. By training students as advocates, we are ensuring a sustainable network that will continue this mission beyond the current campaigns,” she stated.
Following the training, students at both universities immediately took action by launching awareness campaigns aimed at educating their peers on recognizing and preventing different forms of gender-based violence. The campaigns received strong backing from student union leaders, including the Assistant General Secretary of the UNILORIN Students’ Union, Ganiyu Bukola, and the Vice President of the FUNAAB Students’ Union, Alakoso Mariam.
A statement released on Monday highlighted the significance of the initiative in fostering safer learning environments and addressing a pressing social issue. “Project Safe Zones represents a proactive approach to tackling SGBV in universities. Instead of waiting to react to incidents, we are equipping students with the necessary tools to prevent them from happening in the first place,” the statement read.
The campaign marks a growing movement among Nigerian students to confront gender-based violence through education and advocacy, reinforcing the role of youth-led initiatives in creating safer academic spaces.
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