Spotlight on Student Activism on University Campuses in Cross River state

Campus Square Initiative

To successfully counter harmful norms in tertiary institution campuses, the Campus Square (CS) initiative was launched in Cross River State (CRS) in 2024. The initiative brings together young students who are keen to identify and find solutions to the problems they experience and also wish to make their voices heard by challenging the status quo. In just a year, the initiative has built the capacity of the young activists to focus on a variety of issues.

Campus Square's goal is to ensure a safe community in tertiary institutions. It facilitates an open space (in-person and virtual) where young people and students can lead discussions, identify issues and act upon them. These issues may pertain to health, academics, sexual harassment, student welfare, environment, cultism, drug abuse etc. CS brings together students from different institutions to share common concerns and to act collectively to facilitate solutions. CS is a learning and mentoring space that welcomes contributions from activists and leaders in society who have valuable lessons and experiences to share with students.

As a novel imitative, CS has created a platform for young people to strengthen networking through dialogue, advocacy and partnership. Campus based teams made up of passionate young people pledge to be law abiding while boldly tackling issues that face them.

Campus Square Formation

A series of sexual harassment and abuse incidents plagued Nigerian universities between 2022 – 2023 e.g. the sexual assault of a female student in UNILAG by a professor, and the protest at the University of Calabar by students of the Faculty of Law following allegations of “sex for grade” and sexual harassment by a staff of the faculty. The widespread coverage of these and other incidents on the internet, newspapers and TV and radio prompted Gender And Development Action (GADA) to respond to agitations at the University of Calabar by setting up CS gives the students the space to advocate for a safe community and seek accountability. This effort was extended to other tertiary institutions.

**Young activists during a Campus Square Training and Awareness Activity**

Identifying and Engaging Student Activists

GADA CS Team consisting of staff, trained interns and students developed and applied a number of criteria for identifying potential student activists. Some of the criteria used for selection were: commitment to representing student interests, passion for social change, and the ability to engage in constructive advocacy and activism. Their suitability was further assessed during a 2-day training workshop organized by GADA. The workshop was aimed at enhancing knowledge and skills on communication, leadership, advocacy, partnership and community dialogue. This process led to the formation and inauguration of 3 CS Teams for universities based in Calabar, namely; The University of Calabar (UNICAL), University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) and the Arthur Jarvis University (AJU)

***Session with young people participating in Campus Square Training and Awareness Activity***

Responses on CS So Far

Over 120 students from campuses have been trained. They expressed satisfaction and enthusiasm for the initiative, particularly the opportunity to become activists. Some of the feedback communicated include:

“Students have looked forward to a platform like CS that will project their voices and build their capacity to become activists and leaders by providing the skills needed to contribute to the development of their community and learning environment”

***Participant contributing to subject matter***

***Participants engagement in group work and presentation during training***

“I’m glad to be a part of the CS training”, ~Cecilia

“That was a very insightful session, well done CS Team” ~Kingsley~

• Students expressed appreciation for the opportunity to be selected, trained and enlisted as members of their campus CS Team.

“I’ve been looking forward for an opportunity like this to connect with people and volunteer” ~Confidence~

The CS teams are proactive, showing leadership in multiple areas. For example, the CS team at the University of Cross River State, led a joint campus sanitation and environmental awareness sensitization, educating peers and campus community on the importance of healthy living and environmental cleanliness. Also, an awareness campaign on ending GBV in tertiary institutions and to launch the institution’s Gender Policy was undertaken through a 1000-March rally organized by CS team and Student Union Government of the University of Calabar.

Sanitation Awareness and Campaign in UNICROSS

GADA plans to continue support to the CS initiative to build sustainable engagements, undertake training and capacity building for student activists for advocacy with key stakeholders in tertiary institutions to create a better understanding of the challenges facing students and to work together to make campuses safer.