"FUBK Urged to Establish GBV Response Team - TWG on GBV"

By Umar Faruk

Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria - September 2, 2025 (Series News Online)

The Kebbi State Technical Working Group (TWG) on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) has taken a significant step towards ensuring safer learning environments in tertiary institutions. Led by Comrd Nasiru Idris, Secretary of the TWG, the group paid an advocacy visit to the management of Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK) on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.

During the visit, the TWG called on the University to establish a dedicated GBV Response Team with a focal person, whose contact details would be integrated into the state's referral pathway for effective response and support. This, they emphasized, would enable the University to respond promptly and effectively to cases of GBV, providing necessary support to victims and preventing recurrence.

Representing the Vice Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof. Aliyu Turaki commended the initiative, acknowledging the leadership of Kebbi State First Lady, Hajiya Zainab Nasare Kauran Gwandu, in championing the fight against GBV. "We appreciate the efforts of the TWG in addressing this critical issue, and we assure you that your recommendations will be tabled before the University's management," he said.

Stakeholders highlighted the urgency of addressing GBV in the tertiary institutions, noting that cases may arise between students, staff, and across student-staff relationships. "The importance of diagnosis, treatment, and structured response mechanisms cannot be overemphasized," they stressed. "Educational institutions are not just centres of learning, but must also be safe spaces where dignity, respect, and equality are upheld."

The advocacy visit reflects a growing recognition that establishing GBV response structures in universities is crucial in safeguarding the future of young people and reinforcing the state's commitment to justice and protection for all. By taking this decisive step, FUBK can ensure that its students and staff have access to a safe and supportive learning environment, where they can thrive and reach their full potential.