Kiki Mordi

The journalist who directed the viral “Sex for Grades” documentary, which exposed sexual harassment by lecturers in Nigerian and Ghanaian universities, is Kiki Mordi. She is a Nigerian investigative journalist, filmmaker, and advocate for gender equality. She has received numerous awards for her journalism, including an Emmy nomination and the Michael Elliott Award. Mordi is also the founder of Document Women, a platform dedicated to amplifying women’s stories, and has been involved in various social justice movements in Nigeria

The “Sex for Grades” documentary, produced by BBC Africa Eye, unveils the pervasive issue of sexual harassment within West African universities. Undercover journalists posed as students at the University of Lagos and the University of Ghana, secretly recording lecturers who were allegedly exploiting their positions for sexual favors. The investigation involved gathering numerous testimonies from past and present students, highlighting instances of lecturers demanding sex in exchange for grades, admissions, and favorable treatment. The documentary sheds light on the grooming tactics used by these lecturers and the devastating impact on the victims’ education and well-being.

Following the release of the documentary, there was widespread outrage and calls for accountability. Both universities launched investigations into the accused lecturers. The University of Lagos dismissed two lecturers, Dr. Boniface Igbeneghu and Dr. Samuel Oladipo, implicated in the scandal. The University of Ghana also initiated investigations into Dr. Paul Kwame Butakor and Professor Ransford Gyampo. The documentary sparked public debate, protests, and increased awareness of sexual harassment in academic institutions. It also led to discussions about strengthening policies and mechanisms for reporting and addressing such misconduct.

 Sources/Related Articles

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we-F0Gi0Lqs
2. https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2019/10/25/771427782/how-undercover-journalists-exposed-west-africas-sex-for-grades-scandal
3. https://www.icfj.org/news/nigerian-journalist-wins-2020-michael-elliott-award-documentary-exposing-sexual-harassment-0
4. https://afi.la.psu.edu/statements/sex-for-grades-solidarity-statement-by-african-feminist-initiative/
5. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/356319-bbc-investigation-exposes-nigerian-ghanaian-academics-sexually-harassing-students-for-grades.html?tztc=1
6. https://thecircular.org/sex-for-grades-in-nigeria/
7. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/10/sex-for-grades-documentary-things-we-saw-during-investigation-were-a-lot-worse-kiki-mordi-bbc-reporter/
8. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/10/sex-for-grades-documentary-things-we-saw-during-investigation-were-a-lot-worse-kiki-mordi-bbc-reporter/#google_vignette
9. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-50817098
10. https://www.newsweek.com/call-action-response-undercover-sex-grades-university-scandal-1463982
11. https://www.okayafrica.com/interview-with-kiki-mordi-nigerian-journalist-behind-sex-for-grades/
12. https://www.bellanaija.com/2020/12/kiki-mordi-bbc-sex-for-grades/
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